Gutkha king's death due to oral cancer raises larger questions
It's an irony that the chief of a gutkha empire should die of salivary gland cancer. The death of Rasiklal Manikchand Dhariwal, the chairman of Manikchand group, on October 24 has brought into focus the high incidence of tobacco use and related oral cancer deaths in India. If you are an addict or consume tobacco even infrequently, it's a good time to think again.
Tobacco kills over 10 lakh people in India every year
Tobacco is a known carcinogen. According to the Indian Cancer Society's 2016 report, it kills over 10 lakh people in India every year. However, oncologists say tobacco deaths are massively under-reported and the actual numbers are much higher. All oral cancers most likely recur and involve mutilating surgeries. Saying no to the consumption of non-smoking tobacco is the only way of prevention.
Food products with tobacco and nicotine can't be sold anymore
After sustained anti-gutkha campaigning across the nation, the central government, in December 2016, finally banned the sale of food products with tobacco and nicotine as ingredients, across India. Such food items include gutkha, paan masala, zarda and tobacco-flavored mouth fresheners.
Who was Rasiklal Manikchand Dhariwal?
Dhariwal is known for popularizing the marketing of chewable tobacco in low-priced sachets, and making the Manikchand group a Rs. 8,000-crore empire. Though he inherited a beedi business from his father, he started as a tobacco trader. During his working years, he landed in controversies for his alleged underworld connections. He died at 78 and is survived by his wife, son and four daughters.
