Ganeshotsav 2012: Mandals to sing tobacco de-addiction tune

Keen to utilise the platform of Ganeshotsav to spread awareness about the perils of addictions and the recent ban on gutka and paan masala, groups of doctors have appealed to mandals to take up de-addiction as their theme this year.

A frontrunner in such activities is physician and de-addiction expert Dr Kalyan Gangwal’s NGO Sarv Jeev Mangal Pratishthan, which has even started a contest for Ganesh mandals themed around the social message of de-addiction. “Recently, the state government imposed a blanket ban on all gutka, tobacco and paan masala products. We had been fighting for several years for this to happen, as tobacco is snuffing out lives of youth. Since Ganeshotsav is a time when people gather in large numbers, the mandals can convey a social message to a larger audience. That’s why we have announced this contest, so that more number of mandals are inspired to take up de-addiction as their theme,” said Gangwal.

Likewise, another NGO founded by city doctors, Prevention of Addiction through Children’s Education (PACE) has decided to distribute free copies of a short film ‘Pratidnya’ about de-addiction. “The film is about a young boy and how he is saved from the clutches of addiction that could have destroyed his life. We started showing this film last year and have reached thousands of students so far. However, we feel Ganesh mandals can do a greater service, as their audiences are huge. The proportion of addiction amongst youth is increasing manifold, and while parents do look for signs of smoking and alcohol, other addictions like whitener, drugs, hookahs is increasing tremendously,” said Dr Vandana Joshi, ENT surgeon and co-convenor of PACE.

A few mandals such as Narayan Peth’s Vishwajeet Mitra Mandal have already shown interest in the film. Mandal member Sunil Sathe feels that if airing the film can make even a few youth escape the clutches of addiction, it would be the best Ganeshotsav ever celebrated.

Aundh Gaon’s Star Mitra Mandal is busy making preparations to build an ‘anti-tobacco’ themed Ganesh decorations. “In our chawls, we have seen families falling apart due to the ill effects of tobacco and gutka products,” said Sonal Saraf, a member of the mandal.