When Alka Batra, Chairperson, Ficci Flo Jaipur, told us that Juhi Chawla was coming to Jaipur to speak at FLO’s 1^st event of the year 2015-16, we went crazy. We had a heated discussion in the office deciding who will get to attend this event. While I got the chance, I heard many saying ‘Damn.’ LOL. For me meeting Juhi was an experience. She is as bubbly and effervescent as she is on-screen.

FICCI FLO Jaipur members welcomed Juhi in a beautiful way, with lots of flowers and colorful cake, as if, spring was flowing in the conference hall.

We also spotted Jaipur’s Princess, Diya Kumari at the event.

The event began with FLO Jaipur’s new chairperson Alka Batra addressing the crowd.

Juhi came with a belief that if few women sitting at the event can grab her message, the event will be a success. While addressing the guests, she said: “Every woman is full of meaning, power and substance. She has immense potential to bring a change in everyone’s life. When you educate a man, you educate a man, but when you educate a woman you educate the entire generation.”

Juhi then began to speak on the ill-effects of mobile radiations. She described:

“Exposure to EMFR – electromagnetic field radiations is harmful to human beings. The mobile/wireless devices are the major source of it. Suppose I have to talk to a person living in Kolkata, I dial the number. The radio waves emitted from mobile catch the signal from the nearest antenna in my location. Then hop-n-hop signal travels through all antennas and reaches to the mobile phone placed in Kolkata. So, now you can imagine how powerful these waves are. The mobile towers in the residential area cause the same problem to the people living around and nearby. Moreover, radio waves are very close to microwaves’ waves also. A pregnant woman is asked not to use it at all because the microwave radiations are harmful to the womb. Talking about men, keeping a cell phone in your pockets is dangerous. Research has shown that due to these radiations, the sperm count is decreased which also reduces the factor of fertility.”

Whoa! Did you know all that? After hearing her, one of the FLO members shared her dreadful experience:

“My family members were diagnosed with cancer including the pet dog. After complete check up, the doctor said it’s due to the radiations that are emitted by a telecom antenna in the house. I request everyone sitting here to avoid going nearby these towers.”

Sad, but an eye-opener.

Juhi shocked us some more by saying: “When these radio waves can penetrate through walls, water, glass then you can imagine how easily they can penetrate our skin and tissues!”

She continued: “Cell phones are not toys. Long term use & over-exposure are hazardous to our health. You might have observed how your ear heats up after you speak for long over the cell phone. It is because of these dangerous waves.”

By now, we are thinking about the people working in call centers.

But she has some ways to keep us safe! She explained: “Over-exposure to mobile phones causes headaches, hearing problem, eyes aching & joint pain.”

“Actions to minimize this danger are: try speaking on the phone less by sending text messages more often, keep the phone on airplane mode during night, don’t keep the phone next to your pillow while sleeping, you can make use of landlines more; and most important, don’t fall prey of the ‘free-calling’ tricks by network companies.”

Lol, we’re guilty!

Team JWB even got a chance to interact personally with the actress and social activist. Below are the excerpts from our conversation:

(Left to right) JWB’s Priyanka Saini, Neeta Boochra, Alka Batra & Juhi Chawla

JWB – As a Women’s blog, we have questions revolving around women. To begin with, share ways in which women can contribute towards ecological causes like this.

Juhi Chawla – Women care about everything – be it their family, workplace or self. They think from their heart, and that makes them stand apart. The mothers sitting here who’ve heard me speak about the hazards of radiations will teach their kids and friends, and that’s how the message floats.

JWB – You’ve been promoting a healthy lifestyle among people, and have interacted with many telecom industries. What kind of response have you got so far from the latter?

Juhi Chawla – I remember having few tight conversations with the telecom people. We are trying to focus on the biological side while their focus is the technical part. It’s a long battle, and I hope the best is implicated soon.

JWB – What has been your biggest victory of this campaign?

Juhi Chawla – It is that the message is swiftly spreading among people. My victory will be when each one of us starts taking our life seriously and makes efforts towards a healthy lifestyle.

JWB – Do you expect Bollywood to support your mission?

Juhi Chawla – I don’t want someone to support me just because he/she is my good friend. You got to believe in what you’re trying to make others understand. Isn’t it?

JWB – You are a former Miss India. What’s your take on woman and beauty?

Juhi Chawla – Women’s beauty is unmatched. The proof that there are more paintings and artworks showcasing woman’s body, nature and beauty as compared to men says it all.

JWB – Any message for our readers?

Juhi Chawla – No power in the world is equal to the power of a determined woman. Not even the radiation-emitting poles. (laughs)

Her answer is so ‘Juhi’. Agree? 🙂

Photographer: Shashank K Tyagi