A month-long Trans fat free Diwali campaign initiated by Department of Community Medicine and
School of Public Health, PGI Chandigarh was successfully concluded with a valedictory function.The
first-of-its-kind campaign launched by Principal Secretary Health, Mr. Hussan Lal and Commissioner,
Food and Drug Administration, Mr. Kumar Rahul achieved new milestones in country’s battle against
elimination of trans-fats. The ceremony was organised in order to honour the celebrities and officials
who extended their indispensable support to make the campaign a success.
During the ceremony, campaign ambassadors from Punjabi Music industry, film industry, and
International sports persons were honoured by various experts from across the country. Sh Milkha
Singh, Mr Jasbir Jassi, Mr Babbal Rai, Mr Lehmber Hussainpuri, Mr Dinesh Mohan, Mr Sahil Anand,
Mr Gurinder Makhna, Ms Preet Kamal, Ms Asees Chadha, Mr Beant Singh Bhinder, and Mr Tajinder
Pal Singh Toor were among the key ambassadors who were felicitated during the event.
Various subject experts including Dr Amarjeet Singh, Professor and Head, Department of Community
Medicine and School of Public Health, PGI Chandigarh; Dr. Umesh Kapil, Professor, Dept. of Public
Health Nutrition, AIIMS; Dr. Ravi Mehrotra, CEO, ICMR-India Cancer Research Consortium; Dr.
Rana J. Singh, Deputy Regional Director (Tobacco & NCD Control) The Union, New Delhi; Dr. Sanjay
Zodpey, President, IASPM; Dr. Sanjay Rai, National President, Indian Public Health Association; Dr.
R. Hemlatha, President,ICMR- Nutrition Society of India; Dr. Rubeena Shahin, Director, FSSAI; Sh.
Sarpreet Singh Gill, IAS, Education Secretary Department of Education, UT Chandigarh; Dr. Om
Prakash, Country Coordinator, GHAI, USA; and Ms. Parul, Correspondent, Indian Express, Chandigarh
also joined the ceremony.
“The Trans fat free Diwali campaign received an overwhelming response from everyone across the
globe. Being one of the most celebrated festivals across India, Diwali also provides people reason to
consume unhealthy foods having high level of trans fats. Keeping the fact in mind, we used the
opportunity to launch this awareness campaign that could benefit population at large,” said Dr Sonu
Goel, Professor, Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, PGI Chandigarh.
Extending his gratitude to media organisations who supported the campaign, Dr Goel said that the
organisations including Indian Express, Hindustan Times, The Daily Pioneer, Chandigarh Savera,
Dainik Bhaskar, Dainik Jagran, Amar Ujala, Ajit, and others helped us in taking the campaign to new
heights. He further thanked Mirchi RJ Mehak (Radio Mirchi Chandigarh, 98.3 FM) for collaborating
with providing desired hype to the campaign in the tri-city. The campaign was also technically
supported by Strategic Institute for Public Health Education and Research (SIPHER); an advocacy
focused civil society, and Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI); the funding management.
“On behalf of FSSAI, I would like to congratulate PGI Chandigarh, SIPHER, and GHAI for this unique
and informative campaign. It gives us immense sense of relief that preminum institute like PGI
Chandigarh are working for elimination of trans fats, said Dr Rubeena Shahin.
“SIPHER is extremely privileged to be a part of Trans fat free Diwali campaign. The campaign not
only informed general public about the ill-effects of trans-fats but also alerted bureaucrats regarding the
reinforcement of policies against trans fats,” said Dr Rakesh Gupta, President, SIPHER.
“This was a dream project and first of its kind in the country and globe where such type of campaign
targeting audience across sectors was planned and successfully executed. The team of SMHSP left no
stone unturned to make it successful. I urge you all once again to Avoid Trans fats and keep yours and
your family healthy and safe,” said Dr Om Prakash Bera, Country Coordinator, GHAI 
