Hyderabad: Highly affected by the death of his friend who was addicted to tobacco, Maachana Raghunandhan, a Deputy Tahsildar, has dedicated his life to help others withdraw from consumption of tobacco.
Hired with the Wing Enforcement of the Department of Civil Equipment in Mahabubnagar, Maachana has spread awareness about the adverse effects of smoking and consumption of tobacco.
“My friend Dejekshtutlu was addicted to chewing tobacco and smoked when I was in college.
He helped me a lot when pursuing higher education.
However, the evil habit of tobacco consumption took his life.
That was after his death that I realized that more people must be made aware of the bad effects of habits This, “Maachana said.
Over the past two decades, he has spent hours advising people, overshadowing them to help them stop smoking.
Every time he saw people smoke and chewed tobacco, he was involved with them in a conversation and explained to them the bad effects of the habit.
“Many people told me to quit smoking, but their words never had an impact on me.
But, it was different when Raghunandhan sir suggested the same thing.
He knew how to convince people and keep in touch with them so they didn’t start smoking again, “Srikanth A, a government employee, who has quit smoking about a month ago.
He said that he began smoking at the age of 22 years and continued for almost a decade.
“Whether my parents, wife, or children can make me stop smoking.
But they are all happy that I quit smoking now,” he added.
Secondly what Srikanth said, Balaji J, who quit smoking about 8 months ago, said that he now bought fruit or biscuits for his child with money he usually spent to buy tobacco products.
“Raghunandhan sir is always used to suggesting buying fruit instead of spending money on cigarettes or gutkha.
That’s what I do now,” he said.