Divya Bhaskar successful drive gets GUTKHA banned in Gujarat

Media News

Mumbai, August 21, 2012

When Narendra Modi, Hon CM Gujarat announced the ban on Gutkha, Gujarat joined the growing list of markets where Dainik Bhaskar group’s relentless drive against Gutkha has resulted in its ban. Gujarat became the 6 th state since April 2012 where long relentless persuasive editorial drive against Gutkha has finally paid dividend.

It started with Madhya Pradesh Government taking the step of banning Gutkha on 1st April and then rapidly followed by Himachal Pradesh ( 13th July), Rajasthan (15th July) Jharkhand ( 17th July) Haryana (20th July) and Chhattisgarh ( 25th July).

The campaign against Gutkha took the route of a series of articles demonstrating adverse impact of consuming it and a parallel move to convince the government to ban it. Additionally the group proposed that the government could compensate the loss of revenue by increasing taxes on other social evils like liquor. The first breakthrough in this was on 1st April 2012 with MP banning Gutkha and that gave the group confidence of success in other areas.

Dainik Bhaskar Group is committed to getting Gutkha banned across all states it operates in. Maharashtra has banned usage on 12th July 2012, where the group through its Marathi Publication Divya Marathi campaigned against Gutkha. The drive included startling facts about Gutkha consumption, its after affects and impact in life, its low contribution of it in the overall; revenue of state. The campaign also covered narration by people suffering from its consumption.

Speaking on the subject Mr. Kalpesh Yagnik, Group Editor; Dainik Bhaskar group said ‘We are committed as a catalyst towards socio-economic change in all our markets. Banning of Gutkha and a drive against it may look like a small step but it’s a giant leap with diverse impact. It involves the entire family. It involves future generation. It’s a social evil and a dangerous habit. Its poisonous. It leads to diseases and it involves wasteful expenses. And hence must be stopped. Dainik Bhaskar Group has a strong conviction to ensure eliminating and getting it banned. I am happy to note that the citizen of these states, the masses at large have responded excellently and extended tremendous support to the drive. All citizens of the states have participated in this effort which is something we all believes in and hence cuts across all the segments uniting them on this common platform and cause.’

For further information, please contact:

Dainik Bhaskar Group

Preema Gandhi

Mobile: +919820912630

Email: preemagandhi@gmail.com