Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched the ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan’, a nationwide campaign aimed at combating substance abuse among young people. The initiative, unveiled through video conferencing, marks the beginning of a 100-week Jan Bhagidari movement designed to encourage youth participation in building a drug-free India.
PM Modi Links Drug-Free Youth To Viksit Bharat Vision
Addressing participants during the launch, the Prime Minister said the campaign goes beyond individual responsibility and represents a collective mission for families, society and the nation.
“The campaign we are witnessing today is for the individual, the family, and society; above all, it is for the nation,” Modi said, adding that achieving the dream of a developed India requires a healthy, confident and addiction-free younger generation.
He emphasised that the campaign seeks to inspire young people to become role models in spreading awareness against substance abuse within their communities.
Campaign Expanded From Kashi To National Level
Recalling the origins of the initiative, Modi said the programme began as a pilot project in Kashi last year before being expanded across the country.
“As the MP from Kashi, I am happy that this campaign was launched last year from the sacred land of Kashi as a pilot project. Along with scientific clarity, it also carries spiritual energy,” he said.
The Prime Minister noted that the movement has received support from more than 125 spiritual organisations, alongside NGOs and social groups working towards creating a drug-free society.
Weekly Activities Planned Across India
As part of the campaign, awareness programmes will now be organised every Sunday for the next 100 weeks. These activities will include walkathons, sports events, meditation sessions, cultural performances, street plays, debates, art competitions and community outreach programmes to encourage public participation.
The government said educational institutions, youth groups, civil society organisations and industry bodies would work together to strengthen the anti-drug movement across the country.
Mandaviya Highlights Importance Of Healthy Youth
Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said the campaign aligns with the vision of a developed India by focusing on the well-being of young citizens.
He stated that a prosperous nation can only be built on the foundation of a healthy society and recalled that Prime Minister Modi had first announced the goal of a Nasha Mukt Bharat during the Independence Day celebrations in 2020.
Mandaviya added that the newly launched initiative would strengthen ongoing efforts to eliminate drug abuse through greater public participation.
Thousands Join Nationwide Launch
The programme witnessed participation from youth at more than 10,000 locations across the country. Volunteers from MY Bharat, the National Service Scheme (NSS), educational institutions, youth clubs, NGOs and over 125 spiritual organisations joined the launch virtually, pledging to support the nationwide campaign against substance abuse.
