Every year, 31 May is observed as World No Tobacco Day. Most people are aware that tobacco is harmful, yet millions continue to use it in different forms. Cigarettes, bidis, hookah, gutka, and other tobacco products remain common despite repeated warnings from doctors and health experts. The day is not only about sharing statistics or medical advice; it is also about encouraging people to think about the habits they carry and the consequences those habits have on their lives.
This day holds great significance in Kashmir due to the ongoing implementation of the Nasha Mukt Abhiyan across various departments and community groups. Different campaigns are being organized throughout the valley to raise awareness about addiction and its consequences for society. However, while most discussion revolves around drugs, one cannot overlook tobacco. Addiction usually starts with substances that are perceived to be harmless. This initial step taken to fit in may end up becoming an obsession for life.
Anyone who has visited a hospital ward or spoken with patients suffering from serious respiratory illnesses understands the price many people pay for tobacco use. The damage is often gradual. A person may not notice its effects immediately, but over time the body begins to suffer. Breathing becomes difficult, physical strength declines, and the risk of life-threatening diseases increases. Beyond health, tobacco also affects finances. A habit that consumes a small amount of money each day can amount to a significant expense over months and years.
The situation becomes even more serious when we talk about young people. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to influences from the people, trends, and environment around them. Peers, fashions on social media, and peer pressure tend to affect their behaviour. Many young people start to smoke and use other forms of tobacco, and they do not know about all of their harmful effects.
In Islam, protecting health is a responsibility. Although tobacco is not specifically mentioned in the Holy Qur’an, the principles laid down by Islam clearly guide Muslims away from anything that causes harm. The Qur’an states: “And do not throw yourselves with your own hands into destruction.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:195)
This verse serves as a reminder that people should avoid actions that knowingly put their well-being at risk. Another verse says: “And do not kill yourselves. Surely Allah is Most Merciful to you.” (Surah An-Nisa 4:29)
These teachings highlight the value Islam places on human life. The body is not something to be neglected or abused. It is a blessing entrusted to every individual.
The teachings of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) further strengthen this understanding. One famous hadith states: “There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm.” (Ibn Majah)
The wisdom of this statement remains relevant today. Tobacco does not affect only the person who uses it. Family members, friends, and even strangers may suffer from secondhand smoke. Children growing up around smokers are particularly vulnerable to the effects. In this sense, the harm extends beyond the individual and becomes a wider social concern.
Another hadith reminds believers: “Your body has a right over you.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
This simple statement carries a profound message. Health is not merely a personal matter; it is a trust from Allah. Looking after one’s physical and mental well-being is part of fulfilling that trust.
The Nasha Mukt Abhiyan campaign in Kashmir is worth praising since addiction is an issue that could affect anyone, regardless of the socio-economic status of the individual. No limits bind addiction; any person can be addicted to anything. Educated, illiterate, rich, or poor, young or old, anyone might become addicted to anything. Thanks to this awareness drive, people are now talking about these problems in schools, colleges, offices, and even among communities.
This is not enough; awareness alone will not help. The change needs to come from within. Parents need to make time for their children and discuss all possible problems. Here, the teachers have the responsibility of informing their pupils about the dangers involved in smoking and the use of narcotics. The religious authorities may emphasize that it is the social and religious duty of every person to maintain good health.
Young people, too, have a responsibility. Choosing not to smoke or use tobacco may seem like a small decision, but it can have lifelong benefits. Every person who rejects addiction contributes to a healthier family and a stronger society.
In this regard, World No Tobacco Day goes beyond being an annual event; it serves as a constant reminder that what one chooses today determines his/her tomorrow. Moreover, a healthier future for Kashmir can only be achieved if the people take it upon themselves to make the right choices.
As the Valley continues its journey towards a Nasha-Mukt society, tobacco should remain part of the conversation. Reducing its use will not solve every problem, but it will certainly move society in the right direction. Good health, clear thinking, and a productive future are among the greatest blessings a person can possess. Protecting those blessings is a responsibility shared by all.

About the Author: Shoiab Mohmmad Bhat is a writer, social educator and researcher from Baramulla, holds a master’s in Gender Studies and a BED. He writes on social issues, education, and gender perspectives, promoting awareness and positive change.

[email protected]

The world of Urdu literature has been left in deep grief after the passing of the renowned poet Bashir Badr, a literary figure whose poetry transcended pages and became the voice of countless hearts across generations. He was not merely a poet who composed ghazals; he was an emotion in himself, a living expression of human feelings, and a mirror reflecting the ordinary yet profound experiences of life. His words carried an extraordinary simplicity that concealed immense depth, blending warmth with pain, love with loneliness, hope with despair, and silence with meaning in a way that touched people at their very core. From literary gatherings and academic classrooms to tea stalls, radio programs, newspapers, and the vast world of social media, his poetry found a home everywhere, becoming part of everyday human expression rather than remaining confined to books alone.
Bashir Badr was born on February 15, 1935, in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. His family had always been known for its education level. As a child, Bashir was interested in poetry and literature; thus, it is often claimed that at the age of seven, Bashir composed his very first sher.
He completed his higher studies from the Aligarh Muslim University from where he attained his Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, and later a PhD in Urdu literature. He gained popularity as a writer early on, and soon became a prominent figure among the academics of Urdu literature. He taught Urdu literature and later became the Head of the Urdu Department of Meerut College. In addition to being a teacher, he was a poet too, whose poems gradually made their way into every part of the Urdu-speaking world.
The thing that set Bashir Badr apart from all the other poets is that he was simple. He didn’t use fancy language that would make people think that they were reading an exceptionally brilliant poem. His poems were written in language which had a lot of feeling in it, and talked about love, loneliness, broken heart, memory, relation, silence, and changeability of life.
The well-known couplet of
Bashir Badr:
“Log toot jaate hain ek ghar
banane mein,
Tum taras nahi khate bastiyan
jalane mein”
is one of the most commonly quoted lines in Urdu poetry. This couplet has affected many because it is loaded not only emotionally but socially too.
There is another immortal couplet written by Bashir Badr:
“Ujale apni yaadon ke hamare saath rehne do,
Na jaane kis gali mein zindagi ki shaam ho jaye.”
These poems still have an impact on the minds of people as they touch upon various issues related to memories, emotions, and the unpredictability of life.
Bashir Badr has gained enormous popularity at mushairas in India and abroad. The manner in which he performed poetry was calm, elegant, and deeply emotional. The audiences would be eagerly waiting to hear him perform. As against most poets who used hard vocabulary and exaggerated performances, Bashir Badr used simplicity.
However, behind this beautiful poetry were many years of pain and agony. One of the hardest events that took place in his life happened in 1987 when communal riots erupted in Meerut. His house was burnt, and in that fire, thousands of books, letters, and unpublished manuscripts perished forever. To an author, losing years of literary works would be equivalent to losing an important part of oneself. This incident affected him very deeply.
What made Bashir Badr outstanding in the world of poetry was the fact that even after going through all those tragedies, there was no trace of anger or rage in his poetry. In spite of his pain and suffering, he kept speaking of man, of peace, of mercy, and of love.
He left Karachi after the riots and settled down in Bhopal where he passed his entire latter part of life. Regardless of all the hardships and problems that he faced, he continued to pen poetic verses that had an impact on the lives of people for generations. Some of his renowned poetry books include “Aamad,” “Aahat,” “Ikai,” “Image,” and “Ujale Apni Yaadon Ke.” His total literary contributions appeared in a collection called “Kulliyat-e-Bashir Badr.” Bashir Badr’s poetry was translated into various languages including English and French.
There could have been many factors responsible for his popularity, but one among them is his contribution that can be enjoyed by every generation. The youth found him appealing because of his simplicity in penning emotional expressions in verses. Even in today’s era of social networking sites, his couplets are used for declaring love, pain, memories, and other such feelings.
He had an influence not only in literature. Politicians, journalists, actors, singers, and public speakers cited lines from his poems frequently. He has authored many memorable verses. Here is one such couplet which demonstrates wisdom and dignity even during conflict:
“Dushmani jam kar karo lekin ye gunjaish rahe,
Jab kabhi hum dost ho jayein to sharminda na hon.”
Such poems proved Bashir Badr’s understanding of human relations and social dynamics.
Bashir Badr received numerous awards and honors throughout his life. The poet was conferred Padma Shri, one of the most esteemed Indian civil awards. Apart from this, he won the Sahitya Akademi Award and various other awards from literary societies across India. Despite being a celebrated poet, Bashir Badr always maintained his humility and soft nature.
Later on in his life, he was affected by dementia along with various other age-related ailments. Gradually, he started withdrawing himself from public mushairas and literary functions. His admirers were heartbroken when the news of the poet, who kept a lot of people’s memories alive in his poems, gradually began forgetting some memories of his own.
Bashir Badr died on May 28, 2026, in Bhopal, at the age of 91, following an illness. He was mourned throughout the country and the world. Writers, poets, journalists, students, fans, and others paid their last respects to him. He was not just regarded as a wonderful poet but a very humane person too.
Even after death, Bashir Badr lives in the form of his poetry. His poetry comforts the broken hearts of people, motivates young poets, and reminds people about the importance of simplicity and honesty in life. Even today, when everything around seems to be artificial, Bashir Badr’s poetry is like a soothing balm for everyone.
He did not merely write poetry. He gave a voice to human feelings.
And perhaps that is why Bashir Badr will always remain alive in the world of Urdu literature and in the hearts of people who continue to find themselves in his words.

Author is a writer, social activist, and nursing student from Kuchmulla, Tral. He writes on social issues, culture, and public concerns with the aim of raising awareness and inspiring positive change. Email: [email protected])