Thursday, January 18, 2018

You don’t have to watch movies or read labels on cigarette packs to know the ill-effects of tobacco. It’s not an unknown fact that tobacco is the main cause for oral cancer, yet as per GATS -2 India (2016-17), 26.8% adults aged 15 and above use tobacco in any form. Ironically, tobacco industry in India is one of the largest in the world today but the cost it involves is something to ponder upon. Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Bihar are the major tobacco producing states in India.

Quit Smoking


Tobacco affects not only smokers but people who are involved in its production right from its inception. To begin with tobacco affects the environment adversely as thousands of hectares of forests are cleared every year for production of tobacco.  This results in deforestation and loss of flora and fauna as well thereby disturbing the eco system. The tobacco industry employs women and children who are not only the most vulnerable population of the society but receive a meagre salary of Rs 88 (8.8 paise) for 1000 beedis they roll. According to the industry body, beedi producers employ about 8 million rollers, mostly women. They also work under inhuman conditions and lead unhealthy lives Beedi rollers are exposed to unburnt tobacco dust which affects their throat and pharynx. Beedi workers also suffer from Green Tobacco Sickness, which occurs when nicotine is absorbed through skin as workers come into contact with leaves while harvesting the crop.
Basic safety norms are not followed in Indian beedi factories as workers don’t wear masks to cover their mouth or proper gloves to protect their hands. Most beedi rollers expose not only themselves to the hazards of tobacco production but also the entire family is exposed to tobacco dust as they are mostly home based.

Is tobacco industry really contributing to the growth and development of the country? In 2011, the amount spent on diseases attributable to tobacco was Rs. 1,04,500 crores, which is 1.12% of that year’s GDP. On the other hand the amount earned through excise revenue from 2011-2014, was only 17% of the cost.

Think. Is tobacco industry the most lucrative industry?

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Monday, January 8, 2018

Consumer VOICE in collaboration with its state partner Consumers Association India organised a car safety workshop at Hotel Raj Park, Alwarpet Chennai on December 28, 2017.The main objective of the workshop is to spread the message that safer cars are needed on Indian roads to save the precious lives.

Ms.Nirmala Desikaran, Chairperson Consumers Association India welcomed the guests and delivered the  inaugural address . She said that a safer car should not only be a priority for the consumer but a need to be supported by manufactures and regulators as well. She said safety features in cars sold in India were insufficient and ineffective when compared to the developed countries or the same cars being exported out of India.

Mr. Hemanth Upadhyay, Senior Advisor Projects & IT, Consumer VOICE, delivered the subject introduction and said lack of safety features in Indian cars is a major cause for high causalities in road accidents in the country. About 30 per cent of deaths are caused due to lack of safety features in Indian cars, he added.

Mr. Hemanth Upadhyay, Senior Advisor Projects & IT, Consumer VOICE at Car Safety Workshop in Chennai


He elaborated about the main safety features such as seat belt, air bags, head strains and consumers should give preference to such features while buying a car. He said the Motor Vehicle Bill 2017 would be cleared by the Parliament soon. “It will be a big tool for the authorities to implement road safety measures in a proper way."

The chief guest of the programme  Ms.D.Shanmuga Priya, Deputy Commissioner of Police-North (Traffic), Greater Chennai said that the police department is giving stronger thrust on sensitising and educating youngsters in the age group of 18-25 years, who are often detected for rash driving and causing injuries, mostly to pedestrians.

“We are also creating awareness at school level with the hope that the children will force their parents to follow safety measures while driving. In the last six months, we have conducted road safety awareness for 20,000 children.

Participants in Car Safety Workshop in Chennai


Mr. P. Bhaskaran, RTO Chennai West spoke about the new Motor Vehicles Act and its rules and the measures taken by his department. The representative from United India Insurance Mr. Prabhakar spoke about the motor insurance policy, how they ascertained the claims etc. in case of an accident.

Representative from United India Insurance, Regional Transport Officer and Consumer activist T.Sodagopan were also shared their views on the subject matter. Around 50 participants were present at the progamme which was followed by question answer session. The programme was covered extensively by the media as well.

Media Coverage

Thursday, January 4, 2018

Consumer VOICE in collaboration with its state partner Rajkot Saher Jilla Grahak Suraksha Mandal, along with Consumer Coordination Council organised a National Convention on Car Safety at Rotary Greater Bhavan, Rajkot on December 23, 2017. The main objective of the programme was to spread the message that safer cars are needed on Indian roads to save the precious lives.

Shri Hemant Kumar Upadhyay, Advisor - Projects, IT & Telecom, Consumer VOICE


Shri Hemant Kumar Upadhyay, Advisor- Projects, IT & Telecom, welcomed the guests and  elaborated upon the subject on Car Safety. In his speech he explained the reasons for the workshop on “Car Safety”. He also explained how VOICE organization is working with global organization to reduce accidents and create awareness on Car` Safety in India. Further elaborating the subject he mentioned that Indian government is taking steps towards harmonization of national regulations of safety standards for passenger cars with UN regulations. He further said that 30% of the fatalities can be prevented by adopting safety gadgets in our cars.

Shri N. M. Dharani, Hon’ble Judge, Rajkot District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Rajkot was the chief guest and Shri Shivlalbhai Barasiya, Hon’ble Chairman, Rajkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry presided over the programme.

National Car Safety Workshop - Rajkot


In his speech Shri N. M. Dharani, Hon’ble Judge, Rajkot District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Rajkot said that most of the small Indian cars don’t meet UN safety and Global NCAP standards. Many Indian cars scored zero on crash & safety tests whereas European cars with airbags scored better. Also the same company when exported their products, it maintained safety features but not when it sold it in India. When Car manufactures are able to make safer car for exports, then it is also possible to make the same for Indian Customer. But due to lack of awareness about Car Safety features and its benefits, Indian customers don’t demand these safety features.

Mr. Amarjeet Singh of Consumer VOICE in his presentation explained about how different cars have their own safety features and differentiated about safety features provided in luxury car and an ordinary car. He also showed a video on Car Safety features and experiences of road accident victims.

Participants in National Car Safety Workshop - Rajkot

Shri J. B. Shah, Hon’ble RTO Officer, Rajkot, shared his ideas on RTO Rules and how people need to be aware about RTO Rules. A video presentation showed by him described how people were driving their vehicles in dangerous ways and how many people have lost their lives by a single mistake of a driver. He also elucidated on how they can save their lives if they follow the traffic rules. Smt. Ramaben Mavani, President, Rajkot Saher Jilla Grahak Suraksha Mandal, Rajkot, further added that how an accident happens and how people are unaware of their rights and duties on road.

Shri Ramjibhai B. Mavani, Founder President, Rajkot Saher Jilla Grahak Suraksha Mandal, Rajkot, shared his valuable ideas on Car safety. He also gave examples of some cars which are not having safety features and how people can save their family member’s life by adding safety features in their car.
The convention was attended by 200 representatives of consumer organisations across India which was covered by media as well. Other Distinguished Guests who attended the event were Mr. S.C.Sharma, Ms. Shobha Hegde, Lead Assessor, NABCB, QCI, New Delhi, Dr. Aparna Dhawan, Hon’ble Joint Director, NABCB, Mr. S. K. Singh, Hon’ble Director & Head, BIS, Rajkot, Shri J. B. Shah, Hon’ble RTO Officer, Rajkot, Shri Kartikbhai Bavishi, Hon’ble Manager, BSE, Rajkot, Shri G.N. Gaglani, Hon’ble retired Manager, The Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd., Rajkot, Shri S.M.Udani, Hon’ble retired scientist, Agmark, Rajkot.                  

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Consumer VOICE, in collaboration with its state partner Bhartiya Manav Kalyan Samiti organized a Car Safety workshop on December 30, 2017 at Community Centre, Sector 15 Noida. The main objective of this Consumer Awareness Campaign was on Car Safety and to spread the message that safer cars are needed on Indian roads to save the precious lives.

Car Safety Workshop in Noida

The event started with a welcome address by S.C. Sharma, President, Bhartiya Manav Kalyan Samiti, Noida. He spoke about the need of Car Safety and hoped that the workshop on this subject will be very useful for the participants. Hemant Updhyay, Advisor,(Projects & IT) Consumer VOICE broached the subject and talked about the Car Safety necessity in India and supplemented it by giving data of road accidents caused due to driving an unsafe car. Some videos were also shown which gave a detailed view of road accidents caused due to lack of car safety features. Ms. Ekta Purohit Manager (Projects) from Consumer VOICE elaborated upon Car Safety importance and pointed out some precautions which a person should take while driving a car.

Sh. Sumer Singh Rawat, President, RWA, Sector-15 Noida opined that car safety feature like airbags and ABS are of utmost importance which should be not negotiated while purchasing a car. He also stressed upon the fact that while driving everyone should follow traffic rules to minimize the chances of accident. Sh. B. P. S. Dhakrey, Sr. Adv. of Supreme Court, who was the chief guest, emphasized the need of strict compliance of traffic rules as well as to ensure manufacturing of safe car from the company’s end. He further said that in consumer forum it takes time to settle the consumer disputes. Therefore mutual arbitration and mediation should be the preferred course of action.

Participants in Car Safety Workshop in Noida


He applauded the work of VOICE in the field of social service in general and Road Safety in particular. Sh. Kanhaiya Lal, General Secretary, Noida Ex. Officers Welfare Association made a vote of thanks speech and told that they are grateful to their chief guest and other guests for sparing their valuable time. He also thanked participants for making the event a success. Sh. S.C. Sharma concluded the event by saying that this workshop will be very useful in spreading the message of Car Safety among consumers. He also surmised that the participants will not only make use of the knowledge they got in the event but will also take this message forward in public interest. The programme  followed by question and answer session and the consumers  present at the seminar asked their respective questions to the experts.

 This workshop was attended by more than 70 persons from Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad and East Delhi. Naresh Prasad and Amrit Sindhu from VOICE were also there as participants. The event concluded with a dinner.

Media Coverage


Amar Ujala


Hindustan Times