Salaam Mumbai Foundation (SMF), in partnership with Everest Foundation, recently organized the fourth annual Balparishad in Nashik. The event brought together over 170 students from government and government-aided schools to address pressing issues affecting their lives and their communities. During the event, the students had the opportunity to discuss tobacco-related concerns with a distinguished panel of experts. The event provided a unique platform for students to voice their opinions and contribute to the development of meaningful solutions.
Since 2015, Salaam Mumbai Foundation, in partnership with Everest Foundation, has been dedicated to creating a tobacco-free environment for the young students of Nashik through a range of initiatives. These students are further encouraged to take an active role in promoting healthy living practices by extending their knowledge beyond the classroom and educating their communities about the importance of leading tobacco-free lives. One such example is that of, a student of class 4 from ย Block-Yeola District (Nashik). Her mother had a regular habit of chewing tobacco, which she couldnโt quit due to her addiction. One day, she ย attended an awareness event by the Salaam Mumbai Foundation, where she learned about the devastating effects of tobacco use. The information she received alarmed her, and she felt compelled to share it with her mother. With a gentle and loving approach, she told her mother, โMa, I need you to be with me always, but this tobacco has the power to take you away from me.โ Her words had a profound impact on her mother, who decided to quit the habit for good. But she ย didnโt stop there. She continued to educate her family members about the harmful effects of tobacco, and with her unwavering efforts, she convinced all of them to give up the habit. Now, she has become a beacon of hope for others in her village. She spreads the message of tobacco control with the same love and care that she gave to her own family.
The Balparishad that is much like the Model United Nations (MUN) in private schools, was attended by an array of dignitaries. Shri. Sanjay Naragude (Joint Commissioner, FDA โ Nashik) graced the event as the Chief Guest and Shri. B.B.Chavan (Regional Deputyย Director Education โ Nashik) delivered the inaugural address. The eminent panellists included Shri. Uday Lohakre (Assistant Commissioner โ FDA, Nashik), Dr. Nitin Bachhav (Education Officer), Dr. Charudatta Shinde (Civil Surgeon โ Health โ NTCP), Ms. Charushila Kulkarni (Senior Reporter, Loksatta โ Nashik), Ms. Smitha Padmanabhanย Nair (Head Corporate Affairs โ Everest Industries Limited โ Mumbai) and Shri. Ramesh N. Komakulwar (Plant Head โ Everest Industries Limited โ Lakhmapur, Nashik).
โTobacco consumption is a perilous choice, and we must unite to discourage its use. By fostering awareness within society, we have the power to reshape mindsets and cultivate a tobacco-free culture. For the past nine years, Everest Foundation, in collaboration with Salaam Mumbai Foundation, has dedicated its efforts to enlighten the community in Nashik about the harmful effects of tobacco. Our joint endeavors have successfully transformed schools in 9 blocks into tobacco-free zones, extending our impact to Dahej and Katni. We applaud the students who actively participate in advocating this cause, as their efforts are instrumental in building a healthier, tobacco-free future.โ
Minakshi Dey, Head-CSR โ Everest Industries Limited
โThrough the Balparishad, we aim to provide a platform for children from the hinterlands of India to voice their opinions and concerns. It is heartwarming to see these young minds come together and engage in meaningful discussions on the issues that plague their communities, especially that of tobacco consumption. We are grateful for our partnership with Everest Foundation in making this event possible and hope to continue empowering these students to become change-makers in their communities.โ
Rajashree Kadam, Trustee โ Salaam Mumbai Foundation
