PM Modi Launches 100-Week ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Abhiyaan’; Punjab Governor Joins National Launch from Chandigarh, Calls for People’s Movement Against Drugs
The Voice of Chandigarh News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually launched the nationwide ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Abhiyaan’, a 100-week campaign aimed at mobilising young people against substance abuse through sustained awareness, community participation and positive youth engagement. The Governor of Punjab and Administrator, U.T. Chandigarh, Gulab Chand Kataria joined the national launch from Tagore Theatre, Chandigarh, where he called upon the youth to become the driving force behind a drug-free and developed India.
Addressing the event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the ‘Drug-Free Youth for Viksit Bharat’ campaign is not merely about individual well-being but about securing the future of families, society and the nation. He emphasised that the initiative, which began in Kashi, has now evolved into a nationwide movement with the support of over 125 spiritual organisations and numerous NGOs. Congratulating the youth for taking the anti-drug pledge, he announced that the campaign would continue for the next 100 weeks through dedicated awareness activities every Sunday.
The Prime Minister also urged society to extend support and a second chance to those recovering from addiction, encouraged families to seek timely intervention, and called upon educational institutions to strengthen anti-drug awareness. Expressing confidence in the success of the campaign, he said the collective resolve of the youth and the government’s sustained efforts would help build a drug-free and developed India.
Addressing students, volunteers and representatives of educational institutions, the Governor described the initiative as a national movement that goes beyond awareness and seeks to build a healthy, responsible and empowered generation capable of realising the vision of Viksit Bharat-2047. He said India’s youth are not only the nation’s future but also its greatest strength in the present, urging them to lead the fight against substance abuse and inspire others to adopt a healthy and disciplined lifestyle.
Kataria administered the Nasha Mukti Pledge to the participants and emphasised that every young person who stays away from drugs and motivates others to do the same becomes a valuable contributor to nation-building. He said addiction destroys families, weakens society and deprives the country of its youthful potential, adding that the fight against drugs cannot be won through enforcement alone but requires the active participation of families, educational institutions, religious organisations, civil society and the youth themselves.
Highlighting the enthusiastic response to the campaign, the Governor said more than three lakh students from 47 universities and institutions of higher learning across Punjab participated in the launch, while around 12,000 students and youth volunteers joined from nearly 60 locations across Chandigarh. Nationwide, over one crore youth participated from thousands of locations, making the campaign one of the country’s largest youth-led anti-drug initiatives.
Referring to Punjab’s ongoing ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’ campaign, Kataria said the State has intensified action against drug traffickers while simultaneously strengthening de-addiction, rehabilitation and awareness initiatives. He stressed that employment generation, skill development, sports, cultural activities and community participation are equally important in preventing substance abuse among young people.
The Governor said the campaign would continue for 100 consecutive weeks, with activities every Sunday, including sports competitions, yoga and meditation sessions, awareness drives, cultural programmes, street plays and community service initiatives to encourage healthy lifestyles and keep youth positively engaged.
He appealed to parents, teachers, educational institutions, industry bodies, NGOs and religious organisations to actively support the campaign and provide young people with opportunities for education, skill development, entrepreneurship and sports. Expressing confidence in the success of the initiative, Shri Kataria said the collective resolve of millions of young Indians would play a decisive role in building a healthy, drug-free society and achieving the goal of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Among those present were Mandip Singh Brar, IAS, Home Secretary, Chandigarh Administration; Dr. Sagar Preet Hooda, IPS, Director General of Police, U.T. Chandigarh; Prerna Puri, IAS, Secretary Education; Lalit Jain, IAS; Sorabh Kumar Arora, Director Sports; Rashmeet Kaur, State Director, MY Bharat Punjab; Vinay Kumar, District Youth Officer, MY Bharat Chandigarh; representatives of religious organisations, NSS volunteers, Civil Defence volunteers and members of civil society.
