Mumbai Surgeon Wins U.S. Award for Anti-Tobacco Campaign

Washington: Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi, a cancer surgeon at Mumbai's Tata Memorial Hospital, has won a prestigious U.S. award for his innovative leadership in the fight to reduce tobacco use and tobacco-related disease in India.

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids presented Chaturvedi with the Judy Wilkenfeld Award for International Tobacco Control at its annual awards gala.

The Wilkenfeld Award was established in honour of Judy Wilkenfeld, the founder of Tobacco-Free Kids' international programme, who passed away in May 2007.

The award recognizes international tobacco control advocates who contribute significantly to reducing tobacco use and inspire others to do the same in the spirit exemplified by Wilkenfeld.

"We have seen great progress in India and hope to serve as an example for the global community," said Chaturvedi accepting the award.

"The world must hear the voice of tobacco's many victims and know that progress in the global fight against tobacco is possible."

"Cancer specialists like me who work with tobacco victims are the constant witnesses of the crimes perpetrated by the tobacco industry," Chaturvedi said.

"I could no longer sit back and watch how helpless my patients and their families felt. I hoped these victims' personal stories would rock the consciences of policy makers who must be convinced to take action."

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