Snehal picked Vasudev as her avatar and merged the power of music to create an anti-tobacco anthem. Photo Courtesy: Snehal Kshirsagar
Known as masheri, this raw form of tobacco is a hot favourite amongst the slum dwellers of Charkop. Women head to local shops and procure a day’s quota of masheri in the morning
Next, they heat it on the pan along with harmful elements like sawdust for hours. This turns it more carcinogenic and toxic which women like to chew all day long
Snehal learnt about the ill- effects of tobacco through the Preventive Health Education Programme launched by Salaam Bombay Foundation for adolescents in Mumbai slums
Snehal picked Vasudev as her avatar and merged the power of music to create an anti-tobacco anthem. The lyrics of her composition represent the toxicity of chewing masheri. In Marathi language, she sings: "Hey, you quit tobacco now, don't be late, time is too short. Vasudev said that addiction is not good. Gutkha, tobacco is deadly. Hear the voice of Vasudev, hear the higher being in you"
Today, Snehal disguised as Vasudev, goes about her locality every fortnight to reinforce the message against tobacco. Often, she is accompanied by her friend while performing at the rickshaw stand outside her chawl, Malwani area and at her school in Charkop
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