Garhwal Post Bureau
Srinagar (Garhwal), 2 Aug: As part of the nationwide “Drug-Free Youth-Developed India” campaign being implemented by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MY Bharat) and the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment of the Government of India, a drug-free pledge, a live broadcast of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the nation, and a seminar on drug de-addiction were organised today at the Academic Activity Centre on the Chauras campus of Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University.
The programme was presided over by Vice Chancellor Professor Prakash Singh. The event began with the drug-free pledge, in which university teachers, officers, employees, NCC cadets, NSS volunteers, and a large number of students participated, pledging to stay away from drugs and to make society drug-free.
Following this, all participants collectively watched Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the nation. In his address, the Prime Minister stated that drug addiction is not a problem for any one individual, but a challenge for the entire family, society, and nation. He stated that drug addiction destroys the talent, energy, and future of youth, and pushes many families to the brink of collapse. He also stated that anti-national and illegal trafficking networks attempt to weaken the nation’s strength by pushing youth into the grip of drug addiction. In such a situation, it is the responsibility of every citizen, family, educational institution, and society to launch a comprehensive public awareness campaign against drug addiction. He urged youth to engage in positive activities such as sports, innovation, skill development, education, and nation-building, stating that a healthy, aware, and drug-free youth force is the most essential for realising the vision of a developed India.
In a symposium held alongside the Prime Minister’s address, Vice Chancellor Professor Shri Prakash Singh stated that universities are not merely institutions for awarding degrees, but also centres for character building, moral values, and social responsibility. He emphasised the crucial role of higher education institutions in raising public awareness against social evils like drug addiction. He urged students to stay away from drugs, adopt a healthy lifestyle, and become a source of inspiration for their families, society, and nation.
Dean, Students’ Welfare (DSW), Professor OP Gusain, stated that the positive energy of youth is a nation’s greatest strength. If youth stay away from drugs and engage in education, sports, research, innovation, and social service, the goal of a developed India can be achieved quickly.
Professor JP Bhatt, the University Nodal Officer for the Drug Free India Campaign, provided detailed information about the campaign’s background, objectives, and activities conducted at the university. He explained that, for the past several years, the university has regularly organised lectures, seminars, poster and slogan competitions, rallies, public awareness programmes, and numerous creative activities involving students as part of the Drug Free India Awareness Campaign. He stated that the Drug Free India Campaign is not merely a government programme, but a national mass movement to build a healthy, aware, and responsible society, in which the active participation of every student is essential. Student members of the university team for the Drug Free India Campaign, Student Union President Mahipal Bisht and Vice President Shivank Nautiyal, expressed concern over the growing serious situation of drug addiction and appealed to all students to come forward and raise awareness.
Other speakers, including Prof MS Negi, Prof NS Panwar, Prof YP Rewani, Registrar Prof RS, Prof Anil Nautiyal, Prof AK Pokhriyal, Dr Nitin Bisht, Dr Rakesh Negi, Dr Surendra Meena, Dr Deepak Rana, Dr Anjana Rawat, Dr Arun Bahuguna, Dr Mukul Pant, Dr Hiramoy Rai, and Dr Narendra Chauhan, also expressed their views. The speakers stated that the problem of drug addiction is not limited to health; it is also becoming a major cause of family disintegration, crime, mental stress, economic loss, and social instability. He urged students to avoid the negative effects of social media, the temptations of drugs, and bad company and adopt positive life values.
The students present at the event also pledged to spread public awareness against drug abuse and to involve their friends, family, and society in this campaign. It was also announced during the event that, in the future, the university will regularly organise awareness campaigns, expert lectures, competitions, community events, and outreach activities related to drug de-addiction, so as to effectively contribute to the creation of a drug-free society, both within the university campus and in the surrounding areas.
The university’s Dean, Heads of Departments, teachers, officers, employees, NCC cadets, NSS volunteers, and a large number of students were present at the event. Finally, all participants reiterated the pledge of “Drug-Free India – Developed India” and pledged to work tirelessly to eradicate drug addiction in society. Research scholars Ankur Rawat, Rajendra Bisht, Ashutosh Pant, and Atul Bhatt were present on this occasion.
