Indian Consulate in Dubai launches anti-drinking, smoking drive

DUBAI: With many blue-collar workers from India languishing in Dubai jails over alleged drug-addiction, smoking and drinking, the Indian mission here along with a group of Indian doctors have launched a campaign against such vices.

The ' SWATANTARA' campaign - that stands for Students Working Against Tobacco, Alcohol, Narcotic And Related Abuses - has been launched with an aim to "raise awareness about the ill effects of tobacco, alcohol and drugs among the students and the Indian community".

The drive was officially inaugurated by the World Boxing Champion Mary Kom on the International Yoga Day that was celebrated globally on June 21 this year, the Consulate said in a release.

"SWATANTARA units are being set up in schools to motivate children to stay away from the vices and the team will also visit labour camps to educate them about the ill effects of alcohol and tobacco as many are languishing in jails following their acts after drinking alcohol," Indian Consul General Anurag Bhushan said at an event here.

He was delivering the keynote address at the event held to mark the 146th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on Friday that also saw performances by noted south-Indian singer Vijay Yesudas and 'Signatures', a musical group of Indian doctors.