Pasumai Thaayagam cadres protest at Hotel Park Sheraton, the hotel where MS Dhoni stays.
CHENNAI, May 4, 2011: Members of Pasumai Thaayagam movement (founded by Dr. S.Ramadoss) organized a protest at the Hotel Park Sheraton situated in T.T.K Road, Chennai (the hotel where MS Dhoni is currently staying for IPL match). The protest was organized to demand MS Dhoni to avoid the surrogate liquor advertisement and stay away from the liquor advertisement in which he is currently appearing.
“Liquor advertisements are banned in India. Both direct and indirect advertisements are banned by the Indian Government. Since liquor advertisements are banned, companies are bringing out advertisements in the name of nonexistent soda, water and Music CDs. Most liquor advertisements target the youth and children and cricket matches are cunningly used as tools for targeting them.
Mr. Sachin Tendulkar refused to act in such indirect liquor advertisements and thereby became an example and role model for the other celebrities in accepting advertisements.
But MS Dhoni’s anguished act is evident from the displayed advertisements all over India which portray his picture along with liquor advertisements. These advertisements lure and induce the youth to indulge in the habit of drinking. In most parts of Chennai he is appearing in the McDowells VSOP liquor advertisement and is promoting the brand openly. This dangerous attitude needs to be prevented immediately” – the protesters demanded.
More than 100 protesters were arrested by the City Police.
Recently, former union health minister Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss wrote a letter to MS Dhoni in this regard. In his letter he said “I gladly share the joy and appreciation for your success and achievement in leading the Indian cricket team to its 2nd World Cup victory by winning the world cup 2011.
While recalling this as a marvelous achievement that places you as a youth icon for the millions of youth of India, it is disturbing to note that your participation in the surrogate liquor advertisements ruins the lives of the millions of Indian youth. I hereby request you to reconsider this and withdraw from the surrogate liquor advertisements and thereby save the millions of Indian youth.
Hazards of drinking
The statistics of the World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that worldwide more than 2.5 million people die a premature death each year. It is very alarming that the Global Status Report on Alcohol 2011 cites India as among the leading countries where the drinking habit is on the increase.
The WHO states that alcohol kills more people than the killer disease HIV/AIDS. Among the global death rates 4% are due to consumption of alcohol. Nearly 60 types of chronic diseases including cancer, heart diseases and liver damages are caused by alcohol consumption. Alcohol consumption weakens the immune system and has a negative effect on patient’s adherence to antiretroviral treatment.
The youth are the most affected by alcohol consumption. The primary cause behind cruel deaths among youth belonging to the age group of 15 to 29 is due to alcohol consumption. Every year 3 lakh and 20 thousand people die due to drinking habits among this age group. Alcohol is the world’s third largest risk factor for disease burden. It is associated with many serious social and developmental issues, including road accidents, violence, child neglect and abuse, and absenteeism in the work places.
Advertisements targeting Youth
The liquor companies are trying to portray the habit of drinking as very natural by linking cricket and the drinking habits. Is it just that you being a responsible Indian citizen stand alley to this conspiracy?
Consumption of liquor affects the youth mostly. As the brain and the body of children are very tender alcohol affects the youngsters very easily. While so is it right that you remain an abettor to ruin the youth and children that love you most dearly?
In the light of these I urge you to consider the future of the millions of youth and break open the clutches and come out of the conspiracy. I kindly request you to avoid the surrogate liquor advertisement and stay away from the liquor advertisement in which you are currently appearing.
I strongly believe that you will quit the surrogate liquor advertisements keeping in mind the future of our nation.” Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss said in his letter to MS. Dhoni.
Mr. R. Arul, State Secretary, Pasumai Thaayagam, M. Jayaraman and more than 100 peoples participated in the protest.
