Singer Shaan is delighted, and surprised at the same time, to be honoured by the New York City for his rigorous campaigning against tobacco. And not just this, the city also declared June 26 as Tobacco Prevention Day.
It was just a couple of months back that Shaan joined hands with a Mumbai-based NGO, Salaam Bombay, and chose to become the social ambassador — urging the youth to quit tobacco in any form. He was also appointed as the tobacco control ambassador of India by the ministry of health and family welfare.
Shaan is so passionate about the cause that he has been giving advices to close friends and accomplices. “My manager has quit smoking too,” he laughs, “that’s kind of an achievement”.
The singer who is presently in US doing a series of live concerts, has been gaining enough recognition there. However, what many don’t know is that Shaan’s father was into smoking and the singer has always detested it. “My dad was a heavy smoker but I have never taken to smoking. It’s silly to give into something which you know is no good,” he says.
Shaan had recorded a song, in collaboration with Salaam Bombay, titled 'Life Se Panga Mat Le Yaar' — a light and casual song in the singer’s characteristic dulcet tone. The song that was released in May, became a huge hit on an online video channel and garnered much worldwide support. Once he comes back to Mumbai, Shaan wishes to visit several schools and colleges to educate the youth on the harms of tobacco.
