Mumbai: The Finance Ministry’s intent to divest its stake in tobacco companies is a welcome step towards tobacco control. The ‘Coalition Against Tobacco’ had recently written to the Indian Prime Minister, highlighting the environmental dangers and degradation at multiple levels due to production and processing of tobacco. The Health Ministry has reportedly raised concerns about government stake in tobacco companies and the Finance Ministry is reported to be considering a divestment of its stake in tobacco companies. The discussions of divestment by the Finance Ministry are commendable and indicate their intent towards better public health and a healthier environment.

Commenting on the development, Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi a head and neck cancer surgeon at the Tata Memorial Hospital and a member of the Coalition said “this move by the Finance Ministry to consider divesting its stake in tobacco stocks is a big step towards a tobacco-free India. The damage that this socially undesirable evil has been doing to our people can finally be reversed through action by the state and civil society, by the government’s bold step of moving out of this business”

“Tobacco cannot in any way be seen to be contributing positively to the society. The Government’s move is a truly pioneering one especially considering that it will be foregoing huge amounts in dividends from these companies. This fact displays the strength of the Government’s resolve of ensuring a tobacco-free India” said Mrs Sumitra Pednekar, a member of the ‘Coalition Against Tobacco’ and petitioner in the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Mumbai High Court against these investments made by state owned insurance companies in tobacco manufacturers.

“This is a good move and in complete consonance with the stated intent of the government of tobacco control. We really appreciate the government’s efforts in that direction and pledge our full support to it in this noble cause” added Dr Badwe, Director, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai and another prominent member of the Coalition.

On implementation, this will be a major step in dissuading other institutions from investing in this industry and stop promoting tobacco and its consequences in a country like India where almost a million people die annually due to usage of tobacco and tobacco products.

Itanagar: The blunder in a Gujarat government school text book referring to Jesus Christ as ‘haivaan’ (devil) has brought shame to India, Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee president Takam Sanjoy said on Wednesday.

This was particularly shameful as Gujarat was the land of Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Ballav Bhai Patel and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sanjoy told PTI.

He called for immediate remedial steps to assuage the hurt sentiment of Indians, particularly the Christian community.

The class IX Hindi language textbook published by the Gujarat State School Textbook Board has used ‘haivaan’ (devil) before Jesus Christ, instead of the intended word ‘bhagwan’ (God) in one of its chapters, which triggered protests from Christians.

The board has removed the controversial word in the online version of the book available on its website.

Sanjoy also lauded Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh Governor P B Acharya for writing to his Gujarat counterpart Om Prakash Kohli about this issue.

(PTI)

Express Photo by Partha Paul, Kolkata.

New Delhi: Nearly 1 in every 2 elderly people faced abuse in public spaces across India and Delhi was among the least abusive cities, a report by HelpAge India has claimed.

According to the report, ‘How India treats its elderly’, 23 per cent of the elderly in the national capital faced abuse as against 70 per cent in Bangalore, which recorded the maximum abuse, followed by 60 per cent in Hyderabad, 59 per cent in Guwahati, 52 per cent in Kolkata, 49 per cent in Chennai and 33 per cent in Mumbai.

The national average was 44 per cent.

“We had conversations with more than 4,000 people in different cities across the country. They have shared their stories of discrimination in society. From pushing and ignoring to misbehaving with them, there have been horrific incidents which elderly people have gone through,” says Manjira Khurana, the Country Head-Communication and Advocacy of HelpAge India.

Noting that mistreatment of the elderly in public spaces was “inexcusable”, the report that was released here today, also features first-hand accounts of the rampant abuse faced by senior citizens in public transport, hospitals and malls.

Sixteen per cent of those who travel by public bus mention incidents of misbehaviour by bus conductor, while 17 per cent of mall staff is reported to have behaved badly with the elderly.

Columnist and author Santosh Desai termed the findings of the data “alarming” and said that improving the behaviour of people toward the elderly was one of the primary steps towards achieving a progressive society.

“The most disturbing thing is that we have made an image of ourselves that we respect elders. Whereas the reality on the ground is somewhat different. You can’t quote the growth of GDP as the only contributing factor to make a progressive society. Improvement of people plays an important role and unfortunately, this is not happening,” said Desai.

Quoting several people who feel threatened to even move out of their homes due to experiences of abuse, the report notes how many feel stepping out as a “necessary evil”.

An awareness drive among the youth was also conducted.

“During our campaigns, we talked to youth about this problem. They agree that they are aware of such incidents but most of them refrain from intervening when they come across such situations,” Khurana said.

Talking about the importance of the research report, Mathew Cherian, CEO of HelpAge India, says, “Elderly abuse is a sensitive topic. Over the past few years, we have been studying and researching elderly abuse within closed doors of one’s home.

“We have surveyed the elders as well as the youth perspective. This year we have moved out of the home into the broader area of public space.”

(Agencies)