BY IANS
New Delhi : Come Feb 15, and the sprawling Delhi University (DU) campus at the edge of northern ridge would be smoke free – hopefully. Already declared a no-smoking zone, the campus will sport street plays, posters and wall paintings to carry forcefully the message ‘chuck the butt’.
Besides, there will be warnings everywhere for students and visitors alike that if they do not stub out their cigarette, they would have to shell out fines up to Rs.500.
“Circulars with this information that the DU campus has been declared a no smoking zone and anyone found smoking here will be fined, have been given to all college principals and another one from the vice-chancellor (Deepak Pental) has also been issued,” said Amrita Bahari, president of the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU).
“Posters campaigning against smoking and paintings against the usage of tobacco are up across the campus. Also some students are putting up a street play Feb 13 at the Arts Faculty, which harps on the same message,” Bahari told IANS.
She said all vendors selling cigarettes in and around the colleges have been steered off the campus with the help of Delhi Police and the anti-smoking cell of the Delhi government.
“Come Feb 15 and if anyone is caught smoking on the campus, he or she will be fined Rs.200. Thereafter, a fine of Rs.500 will be slapped on the person if he repeats the offence.
“The rule is applicable to all, not just students,” Bahari said.
Although the initiatives to clear the campus air of the smoke are going great guns, students doubt if the campaign will be effective for long.
“There have been such initiatives earlier as well, but after some time it all fizzles out. Even the vendors know that and so after a few weeks of being evacuated from the campus, they come back,” said Shreshtha Kumar, a third-year student of Ramjas College.
“Sure the initiatives are going the right way, but the question is how long will they remain this way. Lets just hope that it doesn’t go up in smoke,” Adarsh Sinha of Hindu College said.
But to that Bahari said she is sure that the campaign will work this time.
“We are working in association with the students. Therefore, we are sure that we will make DU smoke free,” she said.