Day 4 of Teachers’ Spiritual Retreat 2026: Awakening the Psychic Being
April 17, 2026
Seth M. R. Jaipuria School, Gomti Nagar, witnessed a powerful and thought-provoking awareness programme on April 15, 2026, as it hosted the Tobacco-Free Youth Campaign (TFYC) 3.0 under the National Tobacco Control Programme. Organised in collaboration with the District Tobacco Control Cell, Lucknow, and supported by Deep Infotech Charitable Trust, the session brought together students, educators, and experts, including Mr. Vivek Awasthi from the Uttar Pradesh Voluntary Health Association and Mr. Deep Prakash from Chief Infotech, to address a concern that often begins quietly but leaves lasting damage.
The programme opened with an engaging student-led presentation that broke down what tobacco actually does to the human body. Moving beyond the usual warnings, it explained how addiction forms, how it affects organs, and why quitting becomes so difficult once someone is trapped in it. More importantly, students spoke about empathy, reminding everyone that those struggling with addiction need support, not judgement.
Addressing the audience, Vidamini Ma’am shifted the conversation away from known facts and towards the reality students witness daily. Referring to how smoking is often glamorised in films and advertisements, she pointed out the contradiction between flashy visuals and the small health warnings tucked away on screen. Drawing from the story of Nachiketa, she spoke about the difference between what feels good in the moment and what is truly right, urging students to recognise the illusion before it becomes a habit.
As the session shifted towards practical awareness, Mr. Vivek Awasthi from the Uttar Pradesh Voluntary Health Association addressed the students, drawing their attention to the larger forces at play behind tobacco use. He highlighted how what seems like a personal decision is often driven by an industry that pulls in young minds using glamour and advertising. Pausing to make them reflect, he remarked, “Have you ever actually seen successful people using tobacco in real life, or is it only shown that way on screen?”
Building on this thought, he encouraged students to look at their own potential differently, adding that the same energy can be channelled into hobbies, creativity, and meaningful pursuits rather than habits that harm both health and surroundings.
The programme concluded with a collective pledge, where students raised their hands and promised not only to stay away from tobacco but also to encourage others to do the same. It wasn’t just a formal ending. It felt like a shared decision.
