A few like-minded young individuals with a sense of commitment and volunteerism have come together to make the world tobacco free. Nasha Mukti Yuva Sankalp (NMYS), an initiative by professionals as well as students from different disciplines, is a platform which fights all kinds of harmful addictions through interesting musical street plays and mobile awareness campaigns at various places.
‘’As you know NMYS is a voluntary forum working for a peaceful and nashamukt Bharat Varsha. We are not a registered body, nor do we have president/ secretary etc. We call ourselves as “Sankalpi” or the committed one. We donate ` one each per day and get social support from individuals and organisations to make this mission propagate. You will be happy to know that recently, Government of Odisha put a ban on gutkha and pan masala just after we filled a PIL in Odisha High Court. Apart from, advocacy, we are performing street plays, publishing leaflets, booklets, conducting mobile counseling camps, Jal Chhatra, homeopathy free health check up camps across the state in order to reach out to the masses and make this voice a state voice. But the most important way of connecting with people are our street-plays,’’ said Md.Imran Ali, an active member of this creative group. They write the screenplay, pen the lyrics of their inspirational songs, lend it a catchy tune and complete the small skits with four to five important messages creatively.
‘’Today chewing tobacco is a habit with many though most people know that this habit can lead to mouth ulcer, oral cancer, lung cancer, heart problems, hypertension etc and affect one in many ways. I am a paramedical student and committed to a tobacco, disease and violence free society. NMYS inspired me to draw the attention of the youth towards this thought provoking issue,’’ said Debhari Reddy. ‘’We start our plays with a song devoted to the victory of the globe and our vote of thanks is also extended through song devoted to the youth of our society. Our lyrics depend on the messages we want to give through our street play. We don’t impose but try to make an impact on the thought process,’’ added Bikram Kesari Nayak, the main singer of the group .
Personalities like advocate Biren Tripathi, Madhusudan Das, National Youth Project, BhagbanPrakash, and senior advisor to election commission of India, Dr S.N.Senapati, senior radiologist, NSS Regional head, Sarita Patel and many more support this cause wholeheartedly. ‘’The energy and excitement our street plays create and the positive wave they spread motivates us,” said Manaswini Parida. The team performs street plays to draw public attention and sensitise the youth and children. ‘’This group is vibrant and full of interesting ideas. It’s good to see their involvement in the endeavour,’’ added Loknath Mohanty, executive director of an NGO.