For the past 22 years, Raghunandan has been actively counselling tobacco users — especially in rural communities — through heartfelt conversations, motivational slogans, and emotional appeals

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

He may not be a pan-India celebrity, but Maachana Raghunandan is something far more impactful — a real-life hero and a beacon of hope for countless families across Telangana.

By profession, he is an Enforcement Deputy Tahsildar with the Telangana Government’s Consumer Affairs, Food & Civil Supplies Department. But beyond his official role lies a powerful personal mission: a relentless fight against tobacco, waged quietly for over two decades.

Hailing from Keshavaram, a village in Medchal District near Shamirpet, Raghunandan never sought recognition. Yet in June, he was chosen for the prestigious HERO Award by the Strategic Institute of Public Health and Research (SIPHER). This award honors individuals with over 15 years of dedication to tobacco control — a cause Raghunandan has championed since the year 2000.

His journey began not with ambition, but with personal loss. A close friend, Deekshitulu — who had supported Raghunandan’s education — tragically lost his life to addiction, falling victim to smoking and gutkha. This loss changed everything. Raghunandan vowed to dedicate his life to ensuring others wouldn’t face the same fate.

Even his wedding reflected his stance. He famously declared:“Sigaretlu, beedi thaagevaallu naa pelliki raavaddu”(Smokers are not welcome at my wedding.)That conviction evolved into a deeply personal campaign: "Praise for Quit Tobacco."

For the past 22 years, Raghunandan has been actively counselling tobacco users — especially in rural communities — through heartfelt conversations, motivational slogans, and emotional appeals. His method is simple but effective: speak with sincerity, connect with compassion, and never give up.

Armed with little more than determination and his two-wheeler, he has travelled over 5,000 kilometers, covering 500 villages and reaching more than 50,000 people, one-on-one. His efforts go far beyond just raising awareness.

Raghunandan backs his words with action — offering small financial incentives, assisting with official documentation, and even helping fund children's education. But there’s one non-negotiable condition: the family must quit tobacco.

Through this unwavering commitment, he has sparked change at the grassroots level. Entire families — even whole communities — have turned away from tobacco because of his influence. His campaign is not driven by funding or fame, but by compassion, loss, and an unshakable sense of purpose.

Today, Maachana Raghunandan is more than a public servant or anti-tobacco activist. He is a living example of how one person’s empathy, courage, and perseverance can change lives — quietly, but profoundly.