HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, May 23: Assam’s well-known NGO Pathik started their 4th edition of anti-tobacco awareness campaign with Cyclathon on Monday at Dr. Bhubaneswar Borooah Cancer Institute in association of Dr. Bhubaneswar Barooah Cancer institute, Anupam Jeevan NGO, Consumer Right Organization-Assam Chapter, SMC-89, Topcem and Guwahati Cycling Community. The cyclathon started at around 7 am on Monday morning at BBCI with the flag off by the director of BBCI Dr. Amal Kataki with an opening speech where he spoke about the increasing threat of smoke and smokeless tobacco users of Assam and north-east India. The 18 km long Cyclathon, starting from BBCI through Rehabari road, Noonmati, via VIP road through Khanapara via G S Road ended at Dispur Supermarket where about 100 cyclists took part in the awareness drive. The 9-day long awareness drive will be followed by an online essay and poster making competition on May 24 followed by a workshop for the health workers and counselors on May 26 and 26 and debate on May 26 which will be followed by state art competition on May 29 at Shraddhanjali Kanan and the main event, the ‘4th Edition of Anti-Tobacco Walkathon’ will start at 6.30 am on May 29 at Nehru Stadium ending with the closing ceremony on May 31 at BBCI. For any enquiry, the organisers are requesting to call @ 94350-91199 / 86389-67551 or mail to ngopathik@gmail.com.
