Bhubaneswar: Vedanta Limited Lanjigarh observed World No Tobacco Day with the community at Asurpada village near Lanjigarh in Kalahandi district on May 31.
The company organised a programme at the Upper Primary School to sensitize the community members on the adverse effects of tobacco addiction on health.
Member, Zilla Parishad (Muniguda), Ram Behera, graced the occasion as the chief guest. Head HR Vedanta Lanjigarh, Mahendra Raut, Head PR & Corporate Communication, Shivanand Mohanty, CMO, Vedanta Lanjigarh, Dr Akshaya Kumar Sahoo, Medicine Specialist, Vedanta Hospital, Lanjigarh, Dr Budhadev Gomango, and Feedback Foundation’s Shiv Kumar Sharma along with over hundred others from the village participated.
Doctors and guests elaborated upon the health hazards related to tobacco consumption and advised the people to refrain from using tobacco for the benefit of their personal health. They highlighted the adverse influence tobacco consumption can have on users’ children and family members.
The programme focussed on tobacco as a leading cause of cancer and also the harm caused to people surrounding users through passive means.
The villagers organised an awareness quiz and distributed prizes on the spot to the winners, especially to those who had totally abstained from tobacco usage.
Led by Srimukh Agasty, the programme was concluded by taking a collective oath to lead a tobacco-free and a healthy life.