NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched the ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan’, calling on the country’s youth to stay physically and mentally fit and remain away from drug abuse. He said achieving the goal of a developed India requires a healthy, confident and drug-free younger generation. During his address, PM Modi also highlighed how the drugs affect one’s family and career. Launching the campaign through video conferencing, PM Modi said the initiative is not only for individuals, families and society but also for the nation. He added that the next 100 Sundays would represent 100 strong steps towards a drug-free India.“Next 100 Sundays will mark 100 strong steps towards drug-free India,” he said. PM Modi also warned that drug trafficking was part of a larger strategy by hostile forces to weaken India and called for greater public vigilance. “Hurting India’s interests by supplying drugs part of enemy nations’ terror plan,” he said.
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Here are the top quotes from his address:
Youth must stay fit for developed India
- “Today, all countrymen have come together for a great and important resolve. The campaign we are witnessing is meant for individuals, families and society, but above all, it is for the nation. The campaign, ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat’, clearly reflects this resolve. As the country moves towards the goal of a developed India, it is essential that our youth remain physically and mentally healthy and stay away from drugs and other such harmful substances.”
- “The campaign we are witnessing today is for the individual, the family, and society; above all, it is for the nation. The very name of this movement—the ‘Drug-Free Youth’ initiative under the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan — clarifies its resolve. As the nation sets its sights on becoming a Viksit Bharat, it is essential that our youth be healthy in body and mind, brimming with self-confidence, and forever free from the deadly habit of drugs. This is the objective of the campaign… This campaign was launched last year as a pilot project from Kashi… Over 125 spiritual organizations have joined us today for the welfare of crores of our fellow citizens.”
- “By being addiction-free, you need to protect your potential. You need to be aware that drugs get you high for a short time, but take your career and family to a new low/bottom.
From Varanasi to nationwide campaign
- “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. Social organisations and NGOs have joined this initiative for the welfare of crores of Indians. Together, they have prepared a roadmap through the Kashi Declaration. Today, we are witnessing how the welfare-oriented idea that emerged from Kashi has become a national project. From today, the Nasha Mukt Yuva campaign is being launched across the country.”
- “The ‘Nasha Mukta Yuva Abhiyaan’ is launching across the country today… There is immense power in collective action, and today, driven by that very strength, this campaign is set to touch the heart of every young person. Lakhs of youths across the nation took a pledge to stay free from drugs… The pledge taken today will continue to move forward steadily over the next hundred weeks.”
- “Drug use disturbs focus, takes you away from dreams. If a youth gets addicted to drugs, his aspirations take a hit, family gets shattered.”
Govt’s anti-drug drive and national campaign
- “Today, the government stands firmly with the youth in the campaign against drugs. Strict action is being taken in the country against drug traffickers and drug abuse; there have been many times more arrests compared to before, and drugs worth thousands of crores of rupees have been seized. This shows how tough our government is against drugs.”
- “Today, thousands of students from schools, colleges and universities are connected online to this programme. Even lakhs of volunteers of MY Bharat are also connected. The NSS jawans too have joined us. People from different sectors, institutions and backgrounds–more than 1 crore youths are together today. I congratulate all of you for this big movement.”
Youth key to Viksit Bharat, drugs part of enemy agenda
- “You are India’s Amrit Peedhi. You will shape your lives over the next 20-25 years, and you will lead the country to the goal of a Viksit Bharat in 2047, and you will be at the helm. You will be the ones to reap its full benefits.”
- “The country needs your energy, your imagination, and your talent, so staying drug-free is crucial for the country and for your own lives.”
- “When a young person falls prey to drug addiction, it is not just that individual who loses; a dream is lost. Hostile nations conspire and leave no stone unturned to drag our youth into the trap of addiction. Profiting from the supply of drugs while aiming to destroy a country like ours is part of their terror-driven agenda.”
Parents, teachers and society must lead the fight
- “We must always keep this in mind: if any child from our home has become a victim of addiction, do not hide it under the guise of social prestige. Seek help from whoever is needed.”
- “Make efforts to free your child from addiction with medical help.”
- “We should also foster a culture of open communication with children in the family, so that you can hold their hand before they get caught in such a whirlpool.”
- “Along with teaching the courses, please also discuss the dangers of drugs with the students. Launch a movement against addiction on your campus. Your efforts can bring big results.”
- “The support of society, the power of yoga and meditation–these strengthen our inner resolve against addiction. And today, we also have facilities like rehabilitation centres to help quit drugs.”
“I appeal to all of you that you are all the leaders of this great movement. You have further strengthened my belief that the youth of India is so aware, so sensible, and so serious about their duties.”
The ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan’ aims to encourage young people to stay away from substance abuse and become ambassadors of positive social change in their communities.The launch marks the beginning of a 100-week nationwide Jan Bhagidari campaign, under which awareness programmes will be organised every Sunday across the country. Activities will include sports events, walkathons, meditation sessions, cultural programmes, street plays, discussions, art competitions and community engagement initiatives.The campaign brings together educational institutions, youth organisations, civil society groups, industry bodies and more than 125 spiritual organisations to build a collective movement against substance abuse. Youth from over 10,000 locations across the country are participating through schools, colleges, universities, MY Bharat volunteers, NSS volunteers, youth clubs, NGOs and industry associations.
