One of the most recognized Indian film-stars globally, 60 years old Anil Kapoor, was made the Grand Ambassador for Clean Air and Healthy Lungs at the 18th National Conference on Pulmonary Diseases (NAPCON 2016) in Mumbai, India. "Being so fit and healthy, Anil Kapoor will indeed prove to be the most appropriate ambassador to spearhead the cause of clean air and healthy lungs," said Emeritus Director Professor (Dr) KC Mohanty, Organizing Chairman of NAPCON 2016.

"Alarming rates of pulmonary diseases in India are warranting urgent action,along with well-coordinated and inter-sectoral comprehensive health responses, across the country to ensure every citizen enjoys lung health. Recent smog in parts of north-central India had worsened the air quality in a dangerous manner, sending the lives of people in jitters and leaving behind disproportionately high economic impacts. Emergency public health measures must be in place because healthy lungs are an indispensable need if we want a healthy country. We believe Anil Kapoor will make justice to this cause and mobilize effective action for clean air and healthy lungs," said Dr Ishwar Gilada, Co-Chairman of NAPCON 2016 and national President of AIDS Society of India (ASI).

Anil Kapoor said at NAPCON 2016: "My gratitude to all of you for giving me this honour to be the Grand Ambassador for clean air and strong and clean lungs. Environment is the biggest issue around the world. I think the best and greatest 'bank balance' we can have in our lives is the 'bank balance' of good health. You may have all the money, power and success in the world but if you do not have good health, you are a very poor man." Anil Kapoor appealed to NAPCON 2016 delegates that they must think many times before investing in cars, property, jewelry or expensive clothes but never think twice about investing in mental, physical and spiritual health of oneself and loved ones. "Every breath is precious" emphasized Anil Kapoor, calling for everyone to urgently prioritise clean air and lung health agenda.


Dr Ishwar Gilada appealed to Anil Kapoor to spread simple messages across the country like TB is curable and preventable;or adhering to treatment and being cured of TB is important for instance. "Simple messaging on clean air and healthy lungs must reach every citizen of this country so that we can together act at all levels for a sustainable and healthy environment as well as ensure good lung health for all citizens. Anil Kapoor who has championed good health himself all through his life is bound to do justice to this cause" said Dr Ishwar Gilada, who has earlier worked with legendary film-star Sunil Dutt on health issues. Anil Kapoor paid respect to Sunil Dutt who was his ideal as well and committed to do his best to shoulder the responsibility of being the ambassador for clean air and healthy lungs.

NAPCON 2016 is organized by India's two eminent professional associations: National College of Chest Physicians (India) and Indian Chest Society, and has scientific or educational collaboration with the Tuberculosis Association of India, Environmental Medical Association, AIDS Society of India, Peoples Health Organisation (India), Geriatric Society of India, Government of India's Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute Delhi, among others. Mumbai is hosting NAPCON 2016 during 24-27 November 2016.