TNR News Network
Dharamshala
A total of 159 student-teachers of Government College of Teacher Education (GCTE), Dharamshala, took part in a rally under the “Tobacco-Free Youth 3.0 Campaign.” The rally was flagged off at 10:00 a.m. by Dr. Beena C. Nair from the college campus.
The rally route covered GCTE campus, GDC Dharamshala Gate, KCC Bank, and the main road via Shaheed Memorial before returning to the college premises. Following the rally, volunteers of the Red Ribbon Club staged a short play at the basketball court highlighting the harmful effects of tobacco use on health, in front of staff and students.
This rally was part of nine activities mandated by the Health Department to certify the institution as a “Tobacco-Free Campus.” Earlier, on November 11, students had taken a “Tobacco-Free Pledge” during the morning assembly and also registered their commitment through an e-pledge on the MyGov portal. On November 13, students created posters and catchy slogans on the theme “Tobacco-Free Youth.”
As part of the campaign, Red Ribbon Club teams inspected tuck shops and canteens near the campus to ensure no tobacco products were being sold. Another team surveyed different locations inside and around the college to confirm that no tobacco use was taking place. Volunteers also marked a yellow line near the Sainik Kalyan Board to demarcate the entry into a “Tobacco-Free Zone.”
To strengthen monitoring, two students—Ms. Shalini Thakur and Mr. Kailash Thakur—along with faculty member Prof. Yugraj Singh, were appointed as “Tobacco Inspectors.” They will regularly check, inspect, and report any tobacco-related violations within and around the campus.
All these activities were coordinated by the nodal officers, Mrs. Rita Devi and Dr. Atul Thakur.
Principal,
Government College of Teacher Education, Dharamshala
