File photo of Sunita Tomar
Sunita Tomar, the face of India's anti-tobacco campaign, died on Wednesday morning after her cancer which was treated in 2013, relapsed. She was 28.
The mother of two, in a 30-second video campaign, had spoken boldly about how tobacco and the resulting mouth cancer were devastating for her and her family. "Tobacco chewing devastated me financially, physically, and mentally. It ruined my family life", she had said.
Just two days ago before succumbing to cancer, Ms Tomar had, in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, written, "When I started consuming tobacco, there was no warning on its ill effects. I did not know that tobacco chewing would lead to cancer and spoil my life. After being through the pain, I decided to warn other users through my experience."
The heartfelt letter was written after BJP MP DK Gandhi suspended a proposal that asked tobacco companies to stamp health warnings across 85 per cent of the surface of cigarette packets. He had also declared that India has little independent evidence to link cigarettes and cancer.
"I am shocked that people in such high posts can be so irresponsible. Bigger warnings can probably save some innocent lives like mine", Ms Tomar wrote to the PM.
The 28-year-old was operated for mouth cancer in 2013, but returned to Tata Hospital in Mumbai last week complaining of breathlessness.
"She was breathless and had lost 15 kg. Her cancer had recurred and progressed. We started treating her but within two-three days she said she was missing her children and wanted to get treated at her native place in Madhya Pradesh," Syed Jaffri of the Tata Memorial Hospital said.
Deepak Sawant, Maharashtra's Health Minister, told NDTV, "We have to take Sunita's drive forward. If we convert her fight into a law, it will be a true tribute to her".
Sunita Tomar is among 10 lakh people in India who lose their lives due to tobacco use every year.
"I am sure her campaign must have saved millions from picking up the habit. She made me promise that we will continue our battle", said Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi who treated Ms Tomar at the Tata Memorial Hospital.