Innumerable Indians are addicted to nicotine (one of the most habit-forming substances known to man) in various forms.  Some smoke, others sniff or chew it. Many live under the myth that chewing gutka or smokeless tobacco is less harmful than smoking. Most not aware that gutka is literally ‘a pinch of poison’ and an ingredient for severe ailments and slow death.

Using World Wide Web, social media and electronic communication devices are amongst the most common activity of today's world.  Digital devices are designed for rapid access to information and enhance connection amongst people. Unsurprisingly, their use has dramatically risen, but aren’t we too reliant on them? Latest research and data is already raising alarm bell of new age addiction.  

You may recall satirical depiction of suicidal threat in an Indian movie called Sholay.  Actor Dharmendra was standing on a high-water tank, repeatedly threatening to end his life, by shouting “suicide, suicide”, if his love interest wasn't realised, or opposed by actresses’ aunt.

In a Bollywood movie called Ra.One, SRK’s (Shahrukh Khan) character G.One tells his son, “Saal mein 10,000 log cigarette peena chhod dete hain (10,000 people quit smoking every year).”