I wish we would stop sharing pics like these to signify breaking stereotypes. I have immense respect for Sai Paranjpe, but it's 2019, we really should not be celebrating tobbaco in any form or manner. Smoking may have been used in the past as a symbol of liberation, but it is an obnoxious habit. Smoking is bad. Smokers are to be avoided because they give you cancer. Yes, it is that simple. Passive smoking kills. The children of a smoker are eight times more likely to be smokers.

The new stereotype is that if you are a smoker, you are liberated. From your gender, your caste, your social position, your parents, whatever. Bullshit. If you are a smoker, you are dying, you are a public nuisance, and you should be called out and ostracised. Not celebrated in any form or manner for smoking.

If Anbumani Ramadoss were still the health minister, it would likely be a crime to share this picture on social media. But even UPA2 undid his good work. Smokers are back in the movies, and on television. Smoking in public areas is on the rise in spite of the extant laws and supreme court orders. The तेंदूपत्ता farmer lobby and ITC continue to control government policy. People continue to have work meetings and discussions over a सुट्टा, so those of us who don't smoke are still forced to passively smoke if we want to further our career/business.