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Vivek Oberoi realizes his mistake: The Burning Brain Society (BBS) made yet another difference in its fight against tobacco. The BBS protest and advocacy against Vivek Oberoi's acceptance of the tobacco "Red and White awards" bore the desired results. Vivek Oberoi returned the tobacco named "Red and White prize" vide his letter dated March 28, 2005 to Godfrey Phillips India Limited. According to the telephonic conversation of Mr. Hemant Goswami with Mr. Vivek Oberoi's P.S., the tobacco company has received back the award as on March 30th 2005. Ms. Kapadia, the secretary to Mr. Vivek Oberoi said that, "intimation about the tobacco companies' award and the final presentation all happened within 48 hours and owing to the tight assignments, the direct relation of the award with tobacco could not be comprehended immediately. When Burning Brain Society wrote and expressed its displeasure only then it was realized that we had blundered." The Cancer Society which had nominated Vivek for the 2004 World No Tobacco Day award also acted on BBS communication which finally resulted in Vivek Oberoi returning the tobacco named prize. Mr. Hemant Ramtirth Goswami, the chairperson of the Burning Brain Society said that realizing one's mistake and admitting it publicly requires real courage for which we appreciate Mr. Vivek Oberoi. As for the tobacco company doing surrogate publicity of its brand on the sly, Mr. Goswami added that in this case the tactics of the tobacco company boomeranged and now it's only a matter of time before all such dishonest and illegal activities are kicked to their grave. “Notices have been issued by the High Court on our Public Interest Petition against the tobacco awards and we are sure that the desired relief shall be there shortly.” Hemant added.
Download the letter written by Vivek Oberoi to the tobacco company Burning Brain's letter to Vivek: BBS/ML/0305/023 Mr. Vivek Oberoi,
Dear Vivek, Burning Brain Society welcomes your decision to return the prize offered by the tobacco company. Burning Brain also appreciate the moral courage shown by you to publicly admit a mistake and to rectify it. As for your social work, the whole world appreciated the nice gesture shown by you towards the Tsunami victims which the undersigned believe is more than any physical award. We are sure that the good and the brave heart which Vivek possesses will result in many more such selfless act. We realize that we might have been a little harsh on you but that was a result of our commitment on the tobacco issue, hope you will appreciate that. With your act of returning the prize back to the tobacco company, our initial anger has now transformed into appreciation and admiration for you. Wish you a very eventful future and a spirited fight against tobacco. Yours truly, Hemant Goswami |
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