Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched the 'Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan', a nationwide campaign aimed at eradicating substance abuse among the youth.
Addressing the gathering, Modi urged young people to stay away from all forms of addiction, stressing that a mentally and physically fit youth population is essential to achieving the goal of a developed India.
The campaign was launched in the presence of a large number of young participants, many of whom identified themselves as representatives of Gen Z. The event comes days after large-scale student protests demanding reforms in the public examination system rocked Delhi and several other parts of the country.
Announcing the initiative, Modi said the anti-drug campaign would continue for the next 100 weeks, with activities organised every Sunday to promote the vision of a drug-free India.
"Today, the 'Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan' is being launched across the country. There is immense power in collective action, and driven by that very strength, this campaign will touch the heart of every young person," he said.
The prime minister said the government stood firmly with the youth in the fight against substance abuse and was taking stringent action against drug traffickers.
"There have been many more arrests than before, and drugs worth thousands of crores of rupees have been seized. This shows how tough our government is against drugs," he said.
Addressing the youth as India's 'Amrit Peedhi', Modi said they would play a decisive role in transforming the country into a developed nation by 2047.
"You are India's Amrit Peedhi. Over the next 20-25 years, you will shape your own future and lead the country towards the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047. You will be at the helm, and you will be the ones to reap its full benefits," he said.
Modi emphasised that the campaign was not only for young people but also for their families, communities and the nation as a whole. He also called for stronger communication between parents and children to prevent young people from falling prey to addiction.
What is the 'Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan'?
The initiative seeks to mobilise young citizens in a nationwide movement to build a drug-free India through awareness, community participation and sustained public engagement. Nearly 10,000 locations across the country will host simultaneous pledge ceremonies, with more than one crore youth expected to take the Nasha Mukti Pledge, reaffirming their commitment to a drug-free society.
According to a release from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the campaign will witness participation from MY Bharat volunteers, National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers, youth clubs, schools, colleges, universities, non-governmental organisations, industrial associations and more than 125 spiritual organisations, making it one of the country's largest youth-led movements against substance abuse.
The campaign has been conceptualised as a 100-week Jan Bhagidari initiative. Every Sunday over the next 100 weeks, youth-led activities will be organised across the country to encourage healthy lifestyles, strengthen community participation and channel the energy of young people towards nation-building.
These weekly activities will include sports competitions, walkathons, meditation sessions, cultural programmes, art and creative contests, nukkad nataks (street plays), awareness drives and other community outreach initiatives. According to the PMO, the objective is to sensitise society to the harmful effects of substance abuse while promoting positive social values.
