.... the brain is not a vessel to be filled,
It is something to be IGNITED

Betrayal by Vivek Oberoi:

In 2004 Vivek Oberoi, the film actor, got the "World No Tobacco Day Award" for his commitment against tobacco. Vivek was given the WNTD award by WHO in recognition of his stand against tobacco.

And what an irony. In 2005 (March 21, 2005) the same man, Vivek Oberoi, accepted an award in the name of a cigarette brand, "Red & White" from a tobacco company promoting the trade name of their cigarette brand under the guise of giving prizes. The award was given to Mr. Vivek for helping victims of Tsunami crisis. No doubt, Vivek did a nice and reasonable thing by helping Tsunami victims but sorry to say he was not the only one neither was he the best one in the effort; then why was he chosen over hundreds of others and bestowed with the tobacco bravery award? The answer is simple and the application of the slightest logic reveals it all.

Vivek Oberoi was projected as a no-tobacco ambassador by certain agencies and was promoted as the representative of the no-tobacco movement. By accepting the Red and White tobacco prize he has diluted the no-tobacco movement and displaced it many steps backward. It is indeed a victory for the tobacco company which has managed to influence or buy the actor and thereby project their prizes in the name of a cigarette brand to be legitimate. The tobacco company at the same time could also manage a sizeable media space and attention because of the profile of Vivek.

Mr. Oberoi might also have got some added publicity, ego satisfaction and may be some money too, but this has been at the cost of the anti tobacco movement and such a selfish act by Vivek Oberoi is definitely a great setback for the concerned people and all the anti tobacco workers. Needless to say that it is also a disgrace for the agency which promoted Vivek as a no-tobacco ambassador. The WNTD prize has also lost its sheen with the actions of such non-committal recipients of the WHO awards.

Burning Brain Society has earlier filed a Civil Writ Petition (3131 of 2005) in Punjab and Haryana High court. The Hon'ble court has taken note of the offence and issued notice of motion to the Government of India, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and the tobacco company "Godfrey Phillips India Ltd." Burning Brain had stated that such prizes in the name of tobacco products is in clear violation of Section 5 of the "Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act 2003."

We are sure that clear cut directions will come soon and these tobacco awards will not survive beyond the year 2005, but they are still able to inflict enough damage before going to the grave. The attention of the Government and serious international agencies to such grave violation is also desperately desired. Will someone responsible act now?

As for Mr. Vivek Oberoi, it would be sensible and prudent for him to return the award and express his apologies to everyone who placed trust in his role as a no-tobacco ambassador. Well if he still chooses to be as hypocrite as he appears at present; then he will make himself a perfect candidate for the "Red and Black" shame awards 2005 which are given by Burning Brain Society to highlight the hypocrisies and acts of omission and commission by responsible people and agencies which directly or indirectly results in help to the tobacco lobby whereas they should actually be working against it.

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