June 03, 2024

Azilen Goes Bold. Azilen Goes Tobacco Free.

गद्वेषवियुक्तैस्तु विषयानिन्द्रियैश्चरन् | |
आत्मवश्यैर्विधेयात्मा प्रसादमधिगच्छति | |

“The disciplined mind, moving among sense-objects, carries away from them only those sensations that are as much due to its discipline as to the objects themselves.” – Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2, Verse 64.

This verse teaches us that a disciplined mind (Sthita-prajna) is not passive but actively engages with the world while maintaining inner control. It suggests that our experience of the world is influenced not only by external factors but also by our mental state and discipline.

By aligning with the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, we commit to fostering a culture of self-transformation and community upliftment, empowering everyone to have inner control and not carry away with mind.

Launched in January 2024, the no-tobacco initiative at Azilen is more than just an initiative. It’s a wave of revolution.

A revolution with a simple vision – promoting, inspiring, and living a tobacco-free life, not by avoiding it but by confronting it head-on.

This initiative encourages us to develop disciplined minds that can navigate the temptations and challenges associated with tobacco use.

The Seeds of Our No-Tobacco Vision

First discussed in ancient Greek philosophy, particularly by Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, Akrasia is the psychological phenomenon in which a person knows that a particular action is harmful or not in their best interest, yet they proceed with the action anyway.

In the hustle of life, the immediate relief often overshadows the long-term harm, trapping us in a state of Akrasia, the cycle of addiction.

With the no-tobacco initiative, our vision is very clear – empower our team members to not find themselves trapped in the state of Akrasia, the cycle of addiction.

Because, as per WHO,

Tobacco kills up to half of its users who don’t quit.
Tobacco kills more than 8 million people each year, including an estimated 1.3 million non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke.
Around 80% of the world’s 1.3 billion tobacco users live in low- and middle-income countries.
In 2020, 22.3% of the world’s population used tobacco: 36.7% of men and 7.8% of women.

The Framework We’re Building #TobaccoFreeCulture on

Six months ago, we announced our bold move and pledged to go tobacco free on May 31, World’s No-Tobacco Day.

The framework for a Tobacco-Free Culture we employed is as follows…

Azilen CEO – Naresh, articulated a clear vision for the transition to a tobacco-free culture, emphasizing the company’s people-first commitment.
The entire leadership team including Naresh engages personally with team members and has been proactively supporting the initiative. The team also stands united in the fight against tobacco.
Established a phase-wise approach to empower and inspire team members to quit tobacco.

Communicated the new initiative and the vision behind it through multiple channels, such as email and Teams in multiple phases, starting with a teaser.
Displayed posters promoting a tobacco-free life throughout the office premises, sparking natural discussions among teams and colleagues.
Collaborated with a professional acting group to perform a scripted act to spread awareness.

Conducted an expert doctor session to guide the team in getting rid of addiction in a scientific way.
Continued the doctor session with one-on-one counseling sessions with a therapist.
On March 13, celebrated World No Smoking Day, by providing a range of nutritious alternatives to our team.

Recognizing that friends are our best influencers and well-wishers, we sought their help to inspire their friends and colleagues.
To make it fun, they playfully snapped photos of their friends consuming tobacco and shared them with the team under the ‘You are Caught!’ initiative.

Recognized and celebrated team members who have successfully quit tobacco. Shared their success stories with other team members to inspire them.
Our 400+ PROEngineers signed a pledge to no-tobacco culture.

Stories of Transformation

These stories of transformation are not just about overcoming addiction but about rediscovering life and family.

As we mark World No-Tobacco Day and Vision Day 2024, these achievements inspire us to break free from the grip of tobacco and forge a path toward a brighter, healthier future.

The following are a few success stories of our team who have chosen life over tobacco.

“After quietly observing and reflecting, one day I had decided ‘No means No’. I am extremely proud and content with my decision.”

“I believe in ‘Everything is possible’. But quitting tobacco wasn’t easy—cravings were challenging and hard to navigate on other side, but my self-consciousness made my situation a win-win. Every day, I counted and reduced it day by day, and yes finally it was possible due to the positive thoughts and Azilen supports. I’m proud of my journey and excited for a bright, tobacco-free future.”

“Giving up smoking was the most empowering choice I’ve ever made. After years of feeling enslaved by cigarettes, I chose a healthier lifestyle. The process was tough, but support from my friends, family, therapist, and Azilen made all the difference. I replaced smoking with running, mindfulness, and balanced eating. Now, I feel more energetic and thrilled with my progress towards a vibrant, smoke-free life.”

The Essence of Our Journey to a Tobacco-Free Culture

Our journey at Azilen toward becoming a tobacco-free culture has been transformative, but not without its challenges.

Convincing people of the initiative’s importance and gaining acceptance were initial hurdles. Getting team members to join sessions was another challenge.

However, through persistent communication, peer support, and leadership commitment, we overcame these obstacles.

And in the end, everything was worth it as we proudly announce that Azilen is having #TobaccoFreeCulture.

The essence: Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.