Gujarat to join nationwide anti-drug campaign as PM Modi addresses over 1 crore youth tomorrow
Gandhinagar, Aug 1
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually address young people across India on August 2 as the central government launches the nationwide 'Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan', an anti-drug awareness campaign expected to connect more than 1 crore participants across around 10,000 locations.
The campaign is being organised by MY Bharat, which functions under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
Details of the initiative were shared by MY Bharat Gujarat State Director Sachin Sharma during a press briefing.
Sharma said Gujarat's main state-level programme will be held at the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) in Gandhinagar at 10:30 a.m.
"Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will attend the event and interact directly with young participants," he said.
More than 500 people, including students from universities and colleges, MY Bharat volunteers, members of youth clubs and representatives of other youth organisations, are expected to participate in the state-level programme.
District Youth Officer Varsha Rogha said the campaign has been designed to promote awareness among young people about living a drug-free life.
"With the primary objective of creating awareness against drug addiction, eight different games and competitions, including dance, music and drawing, will be organised for young people so that maximum participation can be encouraged through art and creativity," she said.
According to the organisers, the nationwide programme will link approximately 10,000 locations through both physical and virtual participation, with more than 1 crore young people expected to take part.
During the event, participants across the country will collectively take a pledge against drug abuse.
The campaign will also mark the launch of a 100-week nationwide 'Sunday Jan Bhagidari Campaign', under which regular sports, fitness, cultural activities and meditation programmes will be organised to sustain public awareness and community participation.
Officials said the 'e-Pledge' initiative is already operational on the MY Bharat portal, allowing participants to take the anti-drug pledge online.
In Gujarat, the programme is being organised jointly by MY Bharat, the district administration and the National Forensic Sciences University.
The organisers have appealed to educational institutions, youth organisations and citizens to actively participate in the campaign as part of the broader vision of 'Viksit Bharat @2047'.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Great initiative but I hope they focus on rehabilitation too. Awareness is important, but what about those already addicted? We need proper de-addiction centers and counseling support. Just saying no isn't enough for someone already trapped in addiction.
The 8 different competitions including dance and drawing is a smart way to engage youth. Instead of just lectures, creative expression will resonate much better with young people. My cousin is a MY Bharat volunteer in Ahmedabad and she's super excited for tomorrow!
This is exactly what we need, especially in border states where drug smuggling is rampant. The 'e-Pledge' on MY Bharat portal makes it easy for anyone to commit to this cause. Kudos to the government for involving NFSU - forensic science expertise will add credibility to the campaign.
Good initiative, but I wish they would spend more on strengthening law enforcement rather than just awareness campaigns. The drug mafia is powerful and well-funded. We need stronger border surveillance and stricter punishment for traffickers. Awareness alone won't stop the supply chain.
Inspiring to see India taking this seriously. Coming from the US where the opioid crisis devastated communities, I can tell you that early intervention and community engagement like this actually works. The 100-week Sunday campaign is particularly smart - consistency beats intensity.
P Priya S