iWorld
BIG FM launches Season 2 of ‘Sutta Chhod De Na Yaar’ on World No Tobacco Day
Mumbai: In response to the rising stress and fast-paced lifestyle that has made smoking a common habit for many, BIG FM, one of India’s leading radio networks, brought back the second season of ‘Sutta Chhod De Na Yaar’ on World No Tobacco Day, 31 May. This initiative aimed to raise awareness about the risks and hazards of smoking and tobacco use. Over four weeks, the campaign featured a multifaceted approach encompassing radio broadcasts, celebrity endorsements, expert insights and digital engagement to effectively encourage positive behaviour change. It also featured the quirky reality show called ‘QUITSVILLA’, inspiring participants to quit smoking.
Tobacco kills over 8 million people annually, with 7 million from direct use and 1.2 million from second-hand smoke. Building on last season’s success, BIG FM launched the second season of ‘Sutta Chhod De Na Yaar’ with new engaging elements. The activities kicked off with a strong drive across radio and digital platforms, effectively reaching a targeted audience and securing 11 committed participants. Led by Mumbai RJs- RJ Vrajesh, RJ Rani, RJ Abhilash and RJ Dilip, the campaign’s first week focused on awareness and registrations. The second week highlighted inspiring stories from listeners and celebrities like Yuvraj Singh, Vikrant Massey and Manoj Bajpayee, adding authenticity and motivation to the initiative. Health experts and quit-smoking specialists provided valuable insights during the third week.
The last week of the campaign featured live updates from “QUITSVILLA,” a 48-hour immersive monitoring session at Della Resorts in Lonavala. Participants shared their stories while enjoying performances by rapper Akhil Dighe aka Hellac, comedians Vanshika and Jay Verma, yoga sessions by Shruti Kukreti, sound healing by Mariko, habit coaching by Ashdin Doctor, reverse singing by Madhu Lakhotia and Zumba dancing by Micky. Celebrities like Sanvikaa and Saad Bilgrami from Panchayat season 3 added excitement, making the campaign a supportive journey for those determined to quit smoking.
Sharing his thoughts, BIG FM, COO Sunil Kumaran said, “Despite health hazards, smoking is prevalent amidst people due to cultural acceptance. With its normalization, the increased health risks highlight the need for change. The first season of ‘Sutta Chhod De Na Yaar’ successfully educated the masses and ensured the message resonated with them. Building on BIG FM’s commitment to promoting impactful initiatives, this year we aimed to elevate the awareness wave. Through our engaging activities and focused communication, we have effectively inspired our listeners to embrace a healthier, smoke-free future. “
Sutta Chhod De Na Yaar Season 2 was sponsored by the Life Insurance Corporation of India and Zuno General Insurance Limited. The campaign successfully achieved its goals by not only raising awareness but also starting discussion about tobacco-related illnesses and fatalities, encouraging a shift towards healthier lifestyle choices and highlighting the urgent need for change.
iWorld
WhatsApp may soon let users to pick who sees their status updates
The messaging giant is borrowing a page from Instagram’s playbook as it pushes to give users finer control over their social circles.
CALIFORNIA: WhatsApp is quietly working on a feature that could make its Status function considerably smarter and considerably more private.
According to reports from beta tracking platforms, the app is testing a tool called Status lists, which would allow users to create named groups such as close friends, family and colleagues, and control precisely which group sees each update. It is a meaningful step up from the platform’s current blunt instruments, which offer only three options: share with all contacts, exclude specific people, or manually select individuals each time.
The new feature draws an obvious comparison with Instagram’s Close Friends function, and the resemblance is unlikely to be accidental. Both platforms sit within Meta’s family, and the company has been nudging them toward a common logic of audience segmentation for some time.
The move also fits neatly into WhatsApp’s broader privacy push. The platform has been rolling out enhanced chat protections and is exploring the introduction of usernames, which would allow users to connect without exchanging phone numbers. Status lists extend that philosophy from messaging into broadcasting.
Meanwhile, Status itself has been evolving well beyond its origins as a simple photo-and-text slideshow. The feature now supports music stickers, collages, longer videos and interactive elements, pushing it closer to the social-media-style story format pioneered by Snapchat and refined by Instagram. In that context, finer audience controls are not merely a privacy feature. They are a precondition for people sharing more.
The feature remains in development and has not been confirmed for release. WhatsApp routinely tests tools that are later modified or quietly shelved. But the direction of travel is clear: the app wants Status to be a destination, not an afterthought. Letting users decide exactly who is in the audience is how it gets there.
