Sutta Naa Mila

Tue, May 13 12:10 AM

Strolling down the roads of North Campus, cigarette has become a things of the past. What with the much talked-about ban on smoking in Delhi University being implemented in full swing. The campaign started on 15th February with promises of making presentations and providing counselors to help students get rid of the habit but it seems to have boiled down to slapping fines, anywhere from Rs.200 to Rs.500 on anyone caught smoking.

Passive No More: There are those who think the campaign is futile, but a lot are hailing it as one of the most important implementations in DU history. Sanah, a history student in North Campus says, "If some people have a compulsive urge to smoke, they should do it in their homes. Smoking in public is a violation of the rights of people who choose not to." Atul, a literature student says, "What's the point of me not smoking if someone else is going to take years out of my life anyway."

Even Abhishek, a student of a reputed medical college which is a part of DU says, "Very simply put, smoking kills." However he adds, "In spite of doctors preaching otherwise, you won't have trouble finding students smoking everywhere, even in a medical college." Violation of Rights? But then there are those who feel college isn't college without that occasional fag in between lectures," completely rejecting this law that DUSU has been more than keen on imposing.

Even with the president, Amrita Bahari making public statements on how she plans to rid DU of this habit, many smokers aren't willing to forego their right to smoke a "sutta" with "chai" during those cold winter days. Siddharth Singh, a student of Masters in English says, "As long as I don't smoke in someone's face, I am not doing anything wrong as per the national law. Why does DU need special regulations? It's a political gimmick."

Finding Solutions: Swapnapriiya, a literature student from Hansraj College says, "If non-smokers have made a conscious choice not to smoke and thus have a right, so do the smokers." She simultaneously offers alternatives, "If you wish to curb smoking, it ought to be done at the producer level, instead of the consumer level. And if DU still wishes to impose the ban, at least there should be smoking zones where the smokers have an option of going."

Even the local panwadis seem to be on guard. How many students can imagine Kamla Nagar without the "paan-vaala" at the corner shop. The DUSU authorities were too busy to comment on the matter and it remains to be seen if the students can come to a unanimous decision concerning the matter.

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