Drug-free India: Raj Guv urges universities to eliminate substance abuse in adopted villages
Jaipur, July 29
Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagde has called for a comprehensive statewide campaign under the 'Nasha Mukt Bharat' initiative, urging universities to play a proactive role in making the villages they have adopted free from substance abuse.
He stressed the need to identify areas with a high prevalence of drug abuse and undertake focussed interventions.
The Governor issued these directions while interacting with Vice-Chancellors of state universities through a video conference from Lok Bhawan on Wednesday.
Additional Chief Secretary, Higher Education Department, Kuldeep Ranka, also attended the meeting.
Addressing the Vice-Chancellors, Governor Bagde instructed universities to identify individuals involved in selling narcotics around educational institutions and to work closely with law enforcement agencies to curb drug trafficking and prevent youth from falling into addiction.
He emphasised integrating the vision of a 'drug-free village' into the development initiatives undertaken by universities in their adopted villages. He advised university officials to regularly visit villages, engage with community leaders, monitor drug users and suppliers, and coordinate with the police to ensure effective action against substance abuse.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for a 'Drug-Free India', the Governor encouraged universities to maximise student registration on the My Bharat Portal.
He informed the Vice-Chancellors that a 100-week nationwide campaign would be conducted through the portal, featuring rallies, workshops, awareness drives, and community outreach activities to strengthen the anti-drug movement.
Governor Bagde directed universities to actively implement these initiatives and make the campaign a sustained public movement.
During the meeting, Additional Chief Secretary Kuldeep Ranka outlined the activities to be undertaken by universities and higher education institutions across Rajasthan as part of the 'Drug-Free India' initiative.
— IANS
Reader Comments
This is great in theory, but will universities really have the resources and manpower to do this? Many are already underfunded. Hope the government provides proper support and doesn't just dump responsibilities on them.
Nice to see proactive steps. The 100-week campaign sounds ambitious. But long-term monitoring is key—many such drives fizzle out after initial enthusiasm. Hope Rajasthan sets a sustainable example for other states. 💪
True that! Drug peddlers near colleges are a menace. I've seen how easily youth get trapped. Universities working with local police could really make a difference. But need strict action against suppliers, not just awareness.
Nasha Mukt Bharat is a good slogan, but ground reality is harsh. In many villages, addiction to alcohol and drugs is normalized. Need to address root causes too—poverty, unemployment, lack of recreation. Just police action won't solve everything.
Impressive that they're using the My Bharat Portal for this. Digital engagement could really amplify the reach among youth. But hope it's not just about registration numbers—real impact matters. 🙏
I appreciate the Governor's vision, but let's be honest—Vice-Chancellors already have too much on their
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.