The New Nation - Internet Edition

Tania Sultana

Teachers and students at a seminar underscored the need for shunning smoking and banning all kinds of advertisement of tobacco products on the Dhaka University Campus.

They also urged for the destruction of the tobacco-marketing network by rescuing the youth from the habit of smoking.

With the assistance of World Health Organisation (WHO), Jogsutra, an anti-tobacco students organisation of DU, yesterday arranged the seminar at the Department of Psychology.

Prof Dr Shamim F Kareem, Chairman of the Department, presided, while Dr Iqbal Kabir, Technical Officer of WHO addressed the meeting as special guest.

Abul Kalam Azad, teacher of the Department, presented keynote paper at the seminar.

In his paper he emphasised on the importance of the role of peer groups to make tobacco-dependent friends free from the debilitating addiction.

Kabir expressed his hope to make a tobacco free nation within the span of 20 years.

The organisers brought out two colourful processions from the Aparajeyo Bangla and marched the area of the Arts Faculty building of DU. An orchestra group accompanying the marchers played various musical notes during the rally.

Meanwhile, the two teams named after Padma, which included journalists of DU, and another Meghna, comprising the left-leaving political activists, took part in a twenty-twenty cricket match. The Padma won the match beating the Meghna by 17 runs.

The Jogsutra also arranged two separate debates in parliamentarian and UN styles to create awareness among the youth at the Nabab Nawab Ali Senate Bhaban of DU.

From early morning about a dozen vans and rickshaws moved around the campus carrying colorful festoons and banners. The campus took a very festive look with beautiful gates and arches inscribed with various anti tobacco slogans.

Later, Pracheer Periye, a band group, performed an improvisation of songs at the DUCSU premises. Shahman Maishan designed and directed the programme.