Sports legends join Indian mission's drug abuse drive in UAE

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Sports legends join Indian missions drug abuse drive in UAE

Tennis star Sania Mirza poses during a visit to Taj Mahal in Agra on Tuesday.

The campaign is using sound clips from these celebrities on social media and at presentations made in schools.

Published: Thu 1 Oct 2015, 12:00 AM

Last updated: Thu 1 Oct 2015, 7:09 PM

The Indian diplomatic mission has reached out to famous Indian sports legends to champion the cause of a campaign against drug abuse among the school children in the UAE.
The Swatantara (Students Working Against Tobacco, Alcohol, Narcotic And Related Abuses), an initiative of the Indian Consulate in Dubai and a group of Indian doctors here, has Indian cricket team's Test Captain Virat Kohli, cricketer Harbhajan Singh, tennis star Sania Mirza and veterans like VVS Laxman and Mahesh Bhupathi among its list of sports celebrities raising their voice against the use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs.
The campaign is using sound clips from these celebrities on social media and at presentations made in schools, Dr. T.C. Satish, who conceptualised the campaign, told Khaleej Times.
"Children are mostly influenced by sports personalities. That is why we wanted to take the support of these sports legends to influence them positively," said Dr. Satish, a specialist dermatologist with the Aster Group in Dubai.
"Cricket and tennis are two sports that have a huge following among the Indian youth. So, we sought their help in endorsing the message of the campaign."
Celebrities from other fields will also be joining hands soon, he said.
"Legendary singer K.J. Yesudas and his son Vijay have already promised their support."
The campaign that had a soft launch with the participation of over 200 students in activities organised for the World No Tobacco Day is reaching out to more school students with regular activities.
Students from over 40 schools are participating in elocution and documentary competitions on Friday as part of the 146th birth anniversary celebration of India's father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi.
Over 60 short films have been submitted and the contests will be conducted under the theme "role of students in the fight against tobacco, alcohol and drugs" .
A panel of seven doctors will address the students on the dangers of smoking, drinking and drug addiction. There will be psychiatry session on peer pressure, followed by a Q&A session.
A team of student coordinators is also formed to assist the doctors in their mission.
The chief student coordinator is Nishant Bhushan, son of Anurag Bhushan, the Consul-General of India in Dubai and Northern Emirates.
sajila@khaleejtimes.com