Category: Sensitization Programs

A comprehensive awareness program on cancer, early detection & prevention, lifestyle modification including tobacco.

Tobacco MARSHAL Program Launched in Odisha to Combat Rising Tobacco Menace

Bhubaneswar | April 13, 2025

In a powerful move to combat the growing menace of tobacco addiction and oral cancer in Odisha, I CAN WIN Foundation, in collaboration with ICanCaRe and Gupta Distributors, launched the Tobacco MARSHAL Program in Bhubaneswar. The introductory session was held at the Hanspal office of Gupta Distributors, graciously hosted by Mr. Prerit Gupta, Director, and supported by Mr. Rajesh Gupta, Chairman, Gupta Group of Businesses.

Led by Dr. Pawan Gupta, Senior Director – Surgical Oncology at MAX Hospitals, Delhi NCR, and Founder of ICanCaRe, the session educated the audience on early signs of oral cancer—highlighting the campaign message: “Catch Cancer at Stage 0 with Chhota Daana.”

👥 Dignitaries and Key Participants

The session witnessed the enthusiastic participation of several prominent individuals:

  • Mr. Biswajit Patra, Businessman and Secretary Elect, Rotary Club Bhubaneswar, expressed commitment to partner with ICanCaRe to take the Tobacco MARSHAL initiative to grassroots through Rotary channels.
  • Mr. Prashanna Kumar Mishra, Advocate, Odisha Bar Association, proposed tobacco awareness camps at Cuttack High Court for members of the legal community.
  • Mr. Rakesh Barick, Secretary, SAI Sports Association & Manager at Panasonic Odisha, showed interest in organizing a mega awareness drive with a seating capacity of 1000.
  • Ms. Ipshita Sarkar, Psycho-oncologist, actively addressed psychological aspects of tobacco addiction and guided participants through mental health aspects of cessation.

🔬 Real Impact: From Awareness to Action

The event was not just informative but also action-oriented:

  • Three participants were screened and found with restricted mouth opening and lesions, who were immediately guided for further diagnosis and treatment.
  • The revolutionary device TrisCaRe was introduced as a vital solution for trismus management in oral cancer and pre-cancer cases.

Dr. Pawan emphasized the availability of structured medical treatment to help individuals quit tobacco and highlighted the digital quitline (📞 9773856664) and the ICanCaRe App-based Quit Program that provides behavioral and pharmacological support.

💬 Questions That Matter

One of the most relevant and heartfelt questions came from Mr. Prerit and Mr. Anis:
“How can one resist peer pressure when everyone in the friend circle uses tobacco and alcohol?”
 Dr. Pawan’s response was direct and empowering:

“Motivation is the key—and the good news is that medical treatment is available to help quit tobacco. With proper support and medication for just 3 months, one can be free from cravings and withdrawal symptoms.”

Mr. Anis, inspired by the session, immediately scheduled a consultation to help his father begin the tobacco cessation journey.

🔗 Watch the Full Program Here

📺 YouTube Live – Gupta Distributors https://www.youtube.com/live/vhsUxES-aKA

🌱 The Beginning of a Movement in Odisha

The session ended on a hopeful note, with Mr. Rajesh Gupta committing full support to the #SaveTheYouth campaign in Odisha. Volunteers came forward to enroll as Tobacco MARSHALs and pledged to spread awareness in schools, offices, and communities.

📞 Call to Action

💬 Want to be a part of this movement?
🔗 Register as a Tobacco MARSHAL here: www.icancare.in/academy/marshal
 📞 Helpline: 9773856664
📧 Email: support@icancare.com

Together, let’s kill the modern demon – Tambaku-Asur.
Let’s save lives. Let’s save our youth.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/introducing-tobacco-marshal-odisha-groundbreaking-step-towards-whdcc

Meeting Dr. Umesh Gautam the Mayor of Bareilly.

What can be more exciting than meeting the most dynamic MAYOR of India! Yes,
I had the opportunity to meet Mr. Umesh Gautam, who has been recognized as the
best, innovative, and dynamic Mayor of India. He has changed the city of
Bareilly. Dr. Gautam is also the CHANCELLOR of INVERTIS
University and PRESIDENT of the MISSION HOSPITAL. Present during the meeting was also his father Mr. K. K. Gautam, retired DSP of UP, a big personality in himself. I was introduced to Dr. Umesh by him.

Bareilly is a city in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is
known for its strategic location as a connecting town to the Himalayan
mountains and the Indo-Nepal border. Bareilly has a rich cultural heritage and
a history of trade and commerce. As the gateway to the mountains, Bareilly is a
rich business town. Dr. Umesh Gautam has brought an evident change in the
entire city since his first election as MAYOR and was given a resounding
victory for the second term. The roads, the sewerage system, water supply
speak for his dedication to the city.

SENSITIZING About ICanCaRe – SAVE the Youth Campaign – I discussed my SAVE the Youth campaign for the menace of tobacco. The harms
– First hand, Second hand, third hand, and more importantly the fourth hand.
TOBACCO IS THE BIGGEST ENVIRONMENT HAZARD and the long-term harm to the soil,
water, and air is irreversible. I suggested that BAREILLY under his leadership
should be the model for a TOBACCO-free India. The meeting lasted for 2 hours,
and he grasped each and every aspect of SAVE (SENSITIZATION, ASSISTANCE,
VOLUNTEER CAPACITY BUILDING, and ENFORCEMENT) and how all aspect of society is affected and can be involved. He assured all help to ICanCaRe to promote the cause in Bareilly. 

CANCER in Bareilly – Health is another issue that he wants to do more for the people of Bareilly and also the mountain area to which Bareilly is the lifeline. He said cancer is on the rise and people are not able to get the correct treatment. There is a
need for ultramodern hospital facilities in the area.

Awareness, prevention, and Treatment are needed for the future and have to
be worked upon.

I visited the University campus and was astonished by the huge classes,
library, hostel facility, recreational and sports facilities, and the huge
auditorium with 2000 sitting arrangements. The lush green campus with green
buildings was testimony to the student and environment-friendly management.

Later, I visited the MISSION HOSPITAL and came to know that the hospital is
almost 100 years old and built on 33 acres of land in the center of the city.
It was the busiest center during the pandemic and saved many a life. It caters
to people in Bareilly and adjoining areas including the Mountain connecting
Nainital, Almora, etc.

It was a great feeling meeting and listening to Dr. Umesh Gautam. God Bless.

 

Sensitization Talk on Tobacco SAVE The Youth with IGNOU Patna

Sensitization program on “FOSTERING COLLABORATION TO SAVE THE YOUTH from TOBACCO ADDICTION” as part of NASHA MUKHT BHARAT was organised in by ICanCaRe and I CAN WIN FOUNDATION in collaboration with IGNOU Patna, Darbhanga and Bhagalpur on 22nd June 2023.

ICanCaRe SAVE the Youth Quiz was conducted by Quiz masters Dr. Pravesh Singh and Mrs. Sonal Bhatia, Leaders Tobacco MARSHAL.

The program was online and live on Facebook and You tube attended by students and Faculty of IGNOU across the state of Bihar.

The program was initiated by Dr Abhilash Nayak, Sr. Regional Director of IGNOU Patna and supported by directors from Bhagalpur and Darbhanga. The program was coordinated by Ms. Shruti Agrawal of ICanCaRe and Mr. Deepak Panda.

The Program was presided by Dr. Abhilash Nayak and conducted by Mrs. Shruti Agrawal.

Chief Guest for the occasion was the Dr.  Umesh Chandra Pandey, Director, Regional Services Division, IGNOU, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi-110068

The keynote speaker, Dr. Pawan Gupta M.ch. Director MAX Institute of Cancer Care, Vaishali, and Founder of ICanCaRe leading the SAVE the youth Campaign provided a comprehensive understanding of addiction and equip participants with the necessary knowledge to recognize early signs. The most important intervention was to have a sustained effort in all the education Institutes by adopting SAVE the Youth campaign and capacity building across society by TOBACCO MARSHALs in the Institute for a sustained effort which will bring the desired change. TOBACCO MARSHALS are empowered with knowledge equipped and ready to work for society. It was emphasized that not a single puff or chew, no experimentation. BE CAREFUL AND FEARFUL of the people taking tobacco or drugs, these substances are not socially or professionally acceptable anymore, and anyone using these drugs is a social outcast and not cool but a fool.

The faculties of IGNOU were urged to join the Basic Course in Tobacco Control by ICanCaRe academy to be #TobaccoMARSHALs in Society to #SAVEtheyouth.

116 registered for the Quiz. The top 20 were awarded certificates for the same.

Certified Tobacco Cessation Specialists also participated in the program.

A vote of thanks was delivered by  – Mr. Anand Kumar, AR, IGNOU, Patna

To know more about SAVE the Youth TOBACCO MARSHAL by ICanCaRe go to http://www.icancare.in/academy/MARSHAL

#icancareacademy #icancare #pawangupta #tobaccomarshal #savetheyouth #IGNOU  #NASAMUKTHBHARAT

PFB the event details:

Date: 22nd June 2023

Time: 04:00 PM

Duration: 60 minutes

Platform: ZOOM, YOUTUBE, AND FACEBOOK LIVE

Occasion: International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

Theme: Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (Govt of India)

Topic: Fostering Collaboration for Tobacco Control to SAVE the YOUTH

Host: IGNOU, ICanCaRe, I CAN WIN FOUNDATION

Agenda:  Sensitization talk followed by a short Q&A and QUIZ