'Saying no to drugs is a commitment to your motherland': Odisha Guv urges youth to stay away from addiction
Bhubaneswar, August 2
Odisha Governor Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati on Sunday called upon the youth to shun narcotics, stating that every youngster lost to addiction is a "national loss", highlighting the grave impact of drug abuse on the nation's future.
The Governor was speaking at the 'Nasha Mukta Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyaan,' an initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to create a drug-free India.
Addressing the gathering in Bhubaneswar, Governor Kambhampati emphasised that the battle against drugs is a collective responsibility.
"Every youth wrapped in drugs is not just a personal tragedy; it is a national loss. Therefore, saying no to drugs is not simply a personal decision; it is a commitment to your parents, teachers, friends and motherland," the Governor said.
Urging the youth to find purpose and excitement in constructive activities, Kambhampati noted that the temporary "high" of drugs pales in comparison to life's real achievements.
"Life offers you far greater excitement than any harmful substance ever can," he said.
He further added, "The thrill of winning on the sports field, the satisfaction of learning a new skill, the joy of serving society, the confidence of achieving your goals and the pride of making your family happy, these are the real highs of your life."
Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan initiative aims to connect young citizens with the vision of a developed India while creating awareness about the harmful effects of substance abuse. By combining civic engagement with anti-drug awareness, the programme seeks to empower youth to become ambassadors of a healthy, responsible and drug-free India.
The Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan program was held at more than 28,000 locations across the nation. From these locations, more than 1 crore Youth will be joining this event. Five prominent Spiritual Gurus, including Pujya Amma, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Pujya Daji, Dr. Chinmaya Pandya, and Swami Brahmavihariji, also attended the event.
The launch event witnessed participation from many Chief Ministers and Governors too.
The event was organised with the support of 125+ spiritual organisations, schools, colleges, institutions, public organisations, and industrial associations. Senior representatives from Brahma Kumaris, ISKCON, Chinmaya Mission and Auroville were also present.
— ANI
Reader Comments
This is an important cause, but I wonder about the execution. India has a massive drug problem, especially in border states. Awareness campaigns are good, but what about rehabilitation centers and mental health support for those already addicted? We need more concrete action beyond speeches and events.
"Saying no to drugs is a commitment to your motherland" - this line gave me chills! 🚩 So true, each lost youth is indeed a national loss. The fact that 28,000+ locations participated and 1 crore+ youth joined shows how serious we are as a nation. Proud of this initiative. Jai Hind!
Having lived in Odisha for 3 years, I've seen the drug problem first-hand, particularly near the coastal areas. It's refreshing to see the government taking this seriously. However, I hope they also focus on border security since a lot of these substances come from neighboring countries. Prevention and enforcement should go hand-in-hand.
As a college professor in Bhubaneswar, I've seen many bright students get derailed by substance abuse. The Governor's words are exactly what our youth need to hear. The spiritual angle is important too - when you have inner peace, you don't need artificial highs. Wonderful initiative. 🌟
Respect to Governor Kambhampati for this timely message. But I also want to point out that we need to address the root cause - unemployment and lack of opportunities are major reasons why youth fall into addiction. Let's create more jobs and skill development programs alongside these awareness
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