PANJIM: : In a show of unity, around 350 teachers from across the State have objected to the surrogate advertising of gutkha on the State-run Kadamba Transport Corporation buses claiming that these adverts are influencing the students.
The teachers who attended the State-level workshop against substance abuse among students organised by the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) objected to the surrogate gutkha advertisements on KTCL buses.
A teacher said, “The agreement signed by the advertising agency with the KTC has to be cancelled. The money for the advertisement is not bigger than the well-being of the children.”
“Demand for cancelling the agreement, we are with you,” the teacher urged, referring to the GSCPCR chairman Peter Borges.
Dr Rajendra Agarwal said, “Not just 350 teachers but 350 families and 350 schools have raised their voices against the surrogate advertising. Let the politicians take notice. Leverage your social media handles and I am sure the ads will be pulled down.”
Dr Kashyap Bandodkar said, “Our government and our bus transport is giving space for publicity and making money to promote cancer-causing substances while the medical fraternity is working so hard to deal with the aftermath and side effects of these products.” “Don’t we have at least the moral obligation not to have these advertisements on the State-run buses?” he asked.
The teachers have demanded that the GSCPCR follow up and pressurise the government and KTC to withdraw the advertisements from the buses.
GSCPCR chairman Peter Borges informed the teachers that his office has already made the necessary communication to KTCL. He assured a follow-up and thanked the teachers for the support.
