New Delhi, August 2 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched the “Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan.”
Addressing a nationwide video conference, Modi greeted an audience of more than 10 million young people connected from over 28,000 locations across the country. Commending the millions of participants who took the anti-drug pledge, he praised their commitment to remaining drug-free while spreading the message in their schools, colleges, and communities.
Outlining the campaign’s 100-week roadmap, the prime minister said every Sunday will feature activities focused on art, culture, sports, and meditation to encourage greater participation.
“The coming 100 Sundays will absolutely become 100 strong steps in the direction of a completely drug-free India,” Modi said.
Emphasizing the significance of the initiative, he described the campaign as a national commitment.
“Today, all of us countrymen have united for a great and important resolution,” Modi said.
The prime minister said the campaign extends beyond individual well-being and serves the interests of families, society, and the nation. He stressed that achieving the goal of a developed India requires a physically healthy, mentally resilient, and confident younger generation free from drug addiction.
“Today, as the nation has set the goal of a Viksit Bharat, it is imperative that the country’s youth remain physically and mentally fit, brimming with self-confidence, and permanently steer clear of destructive habits like drugs,” Modi said.
Reflecting on the campaign’s origins, Modi said he was pleased that the initiative began as a pilot project in Kashi last year. Supported by more than 125 spiritual organizations and numerous non-governmental organizations under the Kashi Declaration, he said, the campaign has now expanded into a national movement.
Addressing students, National Service Scheme (NSS) members, and My Bharat volunteers, Modi praised the awareness and commitment shown by the country’s youth. Describing them as India’s “Amrit generation,” he said their energy, innovation, and talent are essential to achieving the country’s development goals by 2047.
“For the ultimate future of the country and for your own lives, it is absolutely essential to keep yourselves free from addiction,” Modi said.
Contrasting the achievements of young Indians in startups, artificial intelligence, sports, and space exploration with the destructive effects of substance abuse, the prime minister warned that addiction destroys focus, careers, and dreams.
He said drug addiction also inflicts deep emotional and social damage on families by shattering parents’ aspirations and causing lasting hardship.
“When this devastation happens in a family or society, the overall strength of the entire nation also fundamentally weakens,” Modi said.
Warning against the deceptive nature of narcotics, Modi said the temporary high they provide ultimately results in long-term harm to careers and family life. Referring to Indian cultural traditions and the teachings of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, he said society should not normalize substance abuse.
“We must absolutely not give any kind of social acceptance to intoxication under any circumstances,” Modi said.
Highlighting support systems available for recovery, the prime minister said social support, yoga, meditation, and modern rehabilitation centers can help people overcome addiction.
He urged families to seek medical treatment for loved ones struggling with substance abuse instead of worrying about social stigma and encouraged open communication at home to help prevent addiction.
“If a youth has mistakenly fallen into addiction, it absolutely does not mean that all their paths are permanently closed,” Modi said.
The prime minister also called on college and university faculty to incorporate discussions about the dangers of drug abuse into their teaching and to promote anti-drug initiatives on campuses.
He urged society to support people recovering from addiction and reject the stigma associated with their past.
“The youth who come out fighting addiction are not weak; they are real warriors whose incredible courage is their true identity,” Modi said.
Concluding his address, Modi said the government stands firmly with young people in combating drug abuse, pointing to nationwide crackdowns, major drug seizures worth thousands of crores of rupees, and increased arrests of drug traffickers and smugglers.
“I am confident that our youth will protect their energy by staying free from addiction and will take the resolutions of Viksit Bharat forward,” Modi said. (ANI)
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