Drug-Free India Key to Viksit Bharat, Says Telangana Governor
Hyderabad, Aug 2 (TNT) :Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Sunday said a drug-free India is the foundation for achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat and called upon every citizen to actively participate in the nationwide movement against substance abuse.
The Governor made the remarks after joining youth and students at the Brahma Kumaris’ Shanti Sarovar Global Peace Auditorium at Gachibowli to witness Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually launch the nationwide ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan’.
On the occasion, Shukla launched the ’10 Crore Drug-Free Pledge Campaign’ in Telangana and administered the anti-drug pledge to youth and students, urging them to become ambassadors of a drug-free society.
Addressing the gathering, the Governor said the responsibility of building a drug-free nation rests with every citizen and stressed that only when villages and States become free from addiction can India truly become a Nasha Mukt Bharat.
He described the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan as a people’s movement aimed at realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat-2047.
Stating that nearly 65 per cent of India’s population comprises youth, Shukla said the country’s greatest strength lies in its young people and stressed the need to protect them from the menace of substance abuse.
Drugs not only destroy the health and future of individuals but also disrupt families, weaken social harmony and impede national development, he said, urging the youth to embrace spirituality, yoga, sports and value-based living.
The Governor appreciated the Brahma Kumaris for promoting peace, positive thinking and moral values through Rajyoga meditation and lauded the organisation’s contribution to women empowerment, youth development, value-based education, environmental protection, de-addiction initiatives and community service.
He termed the decision to entrust the leadership of the campaign to the youth through the MY Bharat platform as a visionary initiative and expressed confidence that the 100-week nationwide campaign, featuring walkathons, cultural programmes, street plays and e-pledges, would create widespread awareness against drug abuse.
Quoting Swami Vivekananda’s message, “Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached,” the Governor urged the youth to remain free from addiction and inspire their families and communities to adopt a drug-free lifestyle.
Earlier, Shukla unveiled the poster of the ’10 Crore Drug-Free Pledge Campaign’, flagged off Brahma Kumaris volunteers who will carry the anti-drug message across the country, and inaugurated a specially designed mobile awareness vehicle to promote the campaign.
Special Chief Secretary M. Dana Kishore, Brahma Kumaris Hyderabad Director Rajyogini BK Kuldeep Didi, MY Bharat Telangana Director Anvesh, Captain (IN) Shiv Singh of the Indian Navy, DPS Chairperson and MLC M. Komaraiah, senior officials of the Brahma Kumaris, MY Bharat representatives, voluntary organisations, youth, students, blood donors and devotees attended the programme.
TNT TS
