Silambakkam, a no-smoking zone

Kancheepuram, June 22 : At a time when the government and health authorities are cracking the whip on smoking and use of tobacco, a nondescript village of the district has set an example worth emulating by the world by 'banning tobacco products' from its soil.

At the first glance Silambakkam, near Melmaruvathur, is just like any other village in the country. Sparsely populated with only few patchy roads speaking of any development, there is eerie silence all around.

But beneath the shades of sombre village life is a quiet revolution taking place unheard of by the outside world.

The hamlet is a no-smoking zone. None of the shops stock cigarettes, beedis or even pan parag nor does anybody use them.

It all happened about six years ago when village elders took the 'historic' decision to make the village tobacco-free and till now none of the 1,200 residents have crossed the 'Lakshman Rekha.' Asked if some villagers travelled to other hamlets for a puff, the residents vehemently deny any transgression and reiterate their commitment to keep the village 'tobacco-free.'

UNI