CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Ritika Thakur of Babulal Gaur Government Postgraduate College, BHEL Bhopal, BA Second Year, is truly proving to be no less than an angel for her father.
During a seminar on de-addiction held at the college, when the question was raised — “As educated youth, how can we play a role in promoting a drug-free society?” — Ritika Thakur, an active NCC cadet and resident of Chhawani Pathar, a village near Bhopal, shared her moving personal story.
She said that her father is a loading truck driver by profession, and often travels to remote areas across India like Assam, Odisha, Guwahati, Kerala, or wherever delivery orders are placed. Her father was addicted to alcohol, cigarettes, and tobacco (gutka).
When Ritika began experiencing allergies due to her father’s cigarette smoke, she requested him to stop smoking. Though he initially resisted, Ritika did not give up. Instead, she started offering him almonds and roasted gram as an alternative. Over time, this helped him quit consuming tobacco.
Even today, before her father leaves for work, Ritika never forgets to pack almonds and gram for him.
Ritika, who used to eat daily meals with her father, once noticed the smell of alcohol from his mouth while eating. Deeply disturbed, she not only stopped sharing meals with him but also began fasting on those days, refusing to eat at all. Shocked and emotionally moved by his daughter’s actions, her father eventually gave up alcohol and all forms of substance abuse.
He replaced the addictive substances with chips and biscuits as safer alternatives.
Ritika has an elder brother who assists in their father’s trucking business but has stayed away from all addictions. Her younger brother, a student in class 8, used to bring cigarettes and tobacco for their father upon request — but after understanding the harmful impact, he refused to continue doing so.
Ritika’s mother had earlier tried to help her husband quit these addictions, but she was unsuccessful as similar habits were prevalent among her family members as well.
However, Ritika’s father loves his daughter deeply. Her consistent care and emotional strength finally melted his resistance, and he now truly considers his daughter an angel.
When the college authorities learned about Ritika’s inspiring efforts, Principal Dr. Sanjay Jain and NCC Officer Dr. Varsha Chauhan honored her publicly and declared her the “De-addiction Brand Ambassador” of the college.
Her story now inspires other students to take part in such meaningful and constructive social roles — a true example of what it means to be an educated youth.
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