Nabarangpur, 25th Aug 2025: At Dabugaon Bhairav Higher Secondary School in Nabarangpur district, a grand ceremony was held today to mark the Tobacco-Free Campaign Programme for Youth.
The event was presided over by the school president. The chief guest was NCD Counsellor Sushil Manoj Karkara from Dabugaon Community Health Centre. The honoured guests included teacher Santosh Kumar Singh Lal, Red Cross Counsellor and teacher Shiva Prasad Sahu, Naveen Kumar Nagesh, Saroj Kumar Bodakia, Lipu Chandra Majhi, Manas Majhi, teachers Pratigya Priya Darshani Swain, Asmita Swain, Khulana Bati Pujari, Sukhalangi Pati, Ritu Mandal, along with all students and staff of the school. Their collective presence made the programme vibrant and successful.
The chief guest administered an oath to all students, making them pledge with raised hands to abstain from drugs and tobacco. He highlighted that due to alcohol and tobacco consumption, more than 28 lakh people in India die every year, suffering from diseases like cancer, heart disease, respiratory problems, diabetes, and strokes. Globally, more than 80 lakh people die annually from tobacco use. It was also mentioned that 63% of all annual global deaths are linked to non-communicable diseases, many of which are caused by tobacco and substance abuse.
The harmful ingredients of tobacco and the possibilities of quitting the habit were explained in detail. Students were also educated about the provisions under India’s COTPA law. The school president Mr. Nahak emphasized the importance of Ayurvedic treatment to overcome addiction and motivated students to build a healthy, respectable society free of tobacco consumption.
At the end, students once again took an oath. Teacher Pratigya Priya Darshani Swain skillfully conducted the stage proceedings.