Other Events and Campaigns


Times of India Kala Ghoda Festival - 2009

Salaam Bombay Foundation participated in the Times of India Kala Ghoda Festival 7th to 15th Feb 2009 and used this opportunity to meet a cross section of Mumbai’s population. Our endeavor was to create awareness on the menace of tobacco consumption and educate youth, adults and children on the ill effects of tobacco. We were also keen to understand the views of youth and adult on the issue of tobacco so we spoke to them at length and filled out a survey that was to understand the actions individuals would take if they found someone smoking around them. The results of this were very interesting. Read more on it on the Research Page …

Children acted as a catalyst in motivating youth and adults at the Salaam Bombay stall where fun and learning went hand in hand.

Kala Godha fest also gave the children of the Salaam Bombay Creative Academy an opportunity to display their talent on stage. Wining songs and plays of our annual ‘Showcase’ event were performed at regular intervals on the stage at Kala Ghoda in front of a 500-600 strong audience.

The Kala Ghoda Festival - 2008

The Kala Ghoda Festival - 2007

Salaam Bombay Foundation was a part of the Kala Ghoda Festival, a week long Mumbai Festival organized by the Times of India. The 10th edition of the festival was organized from the 2nd – 10th Feb ’08. Salaam Bombay Foundation organized a stall which spread the anti-tobacco messages. The children of the Super Army performed on stage and through the medium of theatre and song spread the message of ill-effects of tobacco consumption.

A Survey was conducted with Parents and Youngsters which gave a chance to interact and involve people in our mission to eradicate the threat of tobacco. Booklets and stickers on tobacco control were distributed. Cessation counseling was also one of the added attractions of the stall. Volunteers in large number signed up to be part of Salaam Bombay Foundation activities.

Yaroon Concert - 2006

Abhijeet Sawant and the other 10 finalist of the Indian Idols joined hands in their stand against tobacco. Salaam Bombay Foundation was invited to be a part of the ‘Yaroon Concert' of Sony Entertainment Television where Abhijeet Sawant gave messages to the youth to guard the next generation from tobacco. Also, in keeping with their commitment for the anti-tobacco campaign, the Yaaron concert was a completely non-smoking event. The 11 Indian Idols spoke out on the cause at the concert, ‘Yaaron Concert', where they came together to launch their new Album ‘Yaaron'. The concert was held in Delhi and was telecast on June 19, at 8 pm on Sony Entertainment Television.

Flood Relief -2005

Calamity struck Mumbai when the cloudburst on the 26th of July, 2005, resulted in severe flooding of suburban areas of the city. Needless to say, this rain left a lot of people homeless, lots of people lost all their household belongings, food provisions, clothes. Salaam Bombay Foundation stepped in to help. Appeals were sent out for clothes, books, food packets. The response was overwhelming. We were able to collect enough food supplies for 428 families living in the slums Garib Nagar and Indira Nagar Bandra (E). In addition clothing and beddings was also supplied to over 100 families. Our team personally ensured that the supplies had been handed over the worst affected in each area. Books, stationary and school supplies were distributed to 5000 affected children in 20 municipal schools.


The Postcard Campaign - 2003-04

Across the city, smiling flower postcards were made available in restaurants, bookstores and departmental stores. Citizens were encouraged to participate in the campaign by drawing the smiling flower and signing a postcard as a token of their support to a Gutkha-free state. The movement gathered momentum with prominent citizens drawing the smiling flower and signing postcards to show their support to Gutkha-free Maharashtra.

Smiling Flower Wall of Fame & Award Ceremony

On January 27, 2003, the Gutkha-Free State Wall of Fame, a display of postcards signed by celebrities was launched with the Government of Maharashtra at Tendulkar's Restaurant, Colaba. It was launched by the Indian cricketer, Rahul Dravid. The Wall of Fame showcased a host of postcards signed by some of the country's most illustrious names. It subsequently traveled to other renowned restaurants of the city.

This award ceremony was held on 15 July, 2003 at the Nehru Centre and had two purposes. To create awareness on tobacco and to felicitate those schools and children who have been actively involved with the Smiling Flower campaign. The audience included 800 students representing 110 schools and more than 100 educationists, School Principals and teachers.

Awards for the best postcard designs created by schools and the highest number of signatures collected by a single institution were distributed to reiterate the message and to encourage further support and commitment to the cause. Mr  Anil Deshmukh, Minister Food and Drug Administration & Excise was the Chief Guest at the function.

The School Campaign

The Smiling Flower campaign was extended to schools and colleges across the State of Maharashtra. Students showed their support by signing for “A Gutkha- Free Future” and “A Gutkha- Free State”. Over 100,000 students, from 165 schools and colleges, in the age group of 10 to 17 years from across the State participated in this activity.