‘Ek Prayas, Nasha Mukt Ho Samaj’ event held at Lok Bhavan
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 9 Sep: A programme, titled ‘Ek Prayas, Nasha Mukt Ho Samaj’ was organised at the Lok Bhavan in Doon on Wednesday under the Nasha Mukt Yuva–Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan.
The programme was attended by Governor Lt General Gurmit Singh (Retd) as the Chief Guest.
The objective of the programme was to create awareness among young people and students about the harmful effects of drug abuse and to ensure the active participation of educational institutions and communities in building a drug-free society.
On the occasion, the ‘Dehradun Declaration for a Drug-Free Uttarakhand’ was also released. The declaration emphasises public participation and concrete measures to make the state drug-free. It includes ten key commitments, including strengthening the role of families in keeping young people away from drugs, ensuring treatment and rehabilitation for people struggling with addiction, and increasing community participation. Its objective is to further strengthen efforts to make Uttarakhand drug-free by bringing together all sections of society.
A special panel discussion was organised on the topic ‘Building Addiction-Free and Empowered Educational Institutions’. The discussion was moderated by Anoop Nautiyal. Participants included Prof Surekha Dangwal, Vice-Chancellor of Doon University; Lalit Joshi, Chairman of CIMS Group of Colleges and Sajag India; Prof Sanjay Jasola, Vice-Chancellor of DBS Global University; and Dr Vijay Dhasmana, Chairman of Swami Rama Himalayan University, Dehradun. The experts shared their views on creating an anti-drug environment in educational institutions, strengthening student counselling, and making awareness programmes more effective.
This was followed by a special discussion on ‘Drug-Free Society – Community-Based Approach’, moderated by senior journalist Anupam Trivedi. The panel included Amit Kumar Sinha, Special Principal Secretary, Sports; Dr Saloni, Senior Psychologist at Max Hospital; Dr Tripta Thakur, Vice-Chancellor of Uttarakhand Technical University, Dehradun; and IG Nilesh Anand Bharne. The experts emphasised the importance of the collective role of families, communities, educational institutions, administration and young people in preventing drug abuse.
On the occasion, the Governor said that drug abuse not only affects an individual’s health but also poses a serious challenge to the progress of families, society and the nation. He said that the campaign against drugs must not remain limited to government efforts but should be transformed into a people’s movement. The active participation of young people, educational institutions, parents, social organisations and communities is essential in this endeavour.
The Governor said that young people possess immense energy, talent and potential to contribute to nation-building. To channel this energy in a positive direction, it is necessary to promote sports, education, skill development, creative activities and employment opportunities. He urged students to stay away from drugs themselves and to create awareness among people around them about the harmful effects of substance abuse.
He said that a comprehensive approach involving awareness, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation is required to address drug addiction. Educational institutions should create drug-free environments while also ensuring effective counselling and mental-health support systems for students. At the same time, the police, psychologists, social organisations and other stakeholders must work together to confront this challenge.
The Governor said that the family, particularly the mother, plays the most important role in helping an individual overcome addiction. He said that God has made a mother life’s most beautiful and first healer. When a son falls into the grip of addiction, it is the mother who experiences the greatest pain. Therefore, the role of women and mothers is extremely important in addressing the problem of drug abuse.
The programme commenced with the welcome address by Manuj Goyal, Additional Secretary, Higher Education, who outlined the objectives of the programme and highlighted the need for awareness and public participation in the fight against drug abuse. Thereafter, Devanand, Zonal Director, Uttarakhand, shared his views on the subject of ‘Drug Prevention and Youth Vigilance’.
To convey the message of the harmful effects of drug abuse and ways to stay away from it, the Theatre Department of Doon University presented an impactful street play. Through the performance, students and young people were encouraged to stay away from drugs and adopt a healthy lifestyle.
A question-and-answer session was also organised for students. During the interactive session with experts, students raised questions on various issues related to preventing addiction, mental health, rehabilitation and returning to normal life after overcoming substance abuse.
On the occasion, the Governor released the book ‘Nasha Mukt Nav-Nirman’, authored by Dr Rohit Rastogi. He also administered the ‘Drug-Free Pledge’ to the students and participants present at the programme.
Those present on the occasion included Dr Devendra Bhasin, Vice-Chairman, Higher Education Advancement Committee; Shailesh Bagoli, Secretary; Ravinath Raman, Secretary to the Governor; Kaushal Kishore Shukla, Legal Advisor to the Governor, along with several distinguished guests, representatives of educational institutions, and students.
