Srinagar, May 31 (KNO): National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar on Monday observed World No Tobacco Day and during the event both faculty and staff members took a pledge not to consume tobacco and its products and encourage others for the same.
Addressing the virtual ceremony, Director NIT Srinagar, Prof. Dr. Rakesh Sehgal as per a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said smoking harms almost every part of the body and increases risk of many diseases and infections.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has designated 31 May as 'World No Tobacco Day 'and this year’s theme was 'Commit to Quit', which assumes significant importance in the present times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our youth should stay away from consuming or using tobacco products and discourage others as well. It exposes the human body to various infections and each year thousands of people lose their lives, he said.
Prof. Sehgal said there is a need to raise awareness among the people at a larger level to protect their lives. We have to conduct special counseling sessions for such youth in our localities who are consuming tobacco and its other various products.
"We have to play a vital role in our society to help people in getting rid from this menace and have to start this campaign from our families, friends and then take it out for the sake of larger society," he said.
He said the main objective behind this day is to spread awareness about the perils of consuming tobacco and its various products.
The pledge ceremony was administered by Registrar NIT Srinagar Prof. Kaiser Bukhari. During the event all faculty and staff members took pledge to quit tobacco and motivate their families. It also included keeping the office campus tobacco free and also motivating colleagues for the same.
The English version of pledge was read by Deputy Registrar (Administration) Faisal Irshad Ganai, while the Hindi translation of the same was read by Dr.Harveer Singh Pali, Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering Department, NIT Srinagar.
During the ceremony, the staff and faculty members raised their hands to express their commitment they will never smoke or consume any type of tobacco products in their lives and would motivate and encourage their families also for the same.
The event was moderated and hosted by Deputy Registrar (Administration) Faisal Irshad Ganai—(KNO)