SHILLONG, NOV 18: Meghalaya Governor CH Vijayashankar issued a strong call to action for the creation of a drug-free society.
He emphasized the necessity of a continuous mass awareness campaign implemented robustly at the school, college and community levels to safeguard the State’s youth.
Vijayashankar was addressing at a special event organizedb by the Raj Bhavan in collaboration with the Social Welfare department for commemorating five years of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan here on Tuesday.
Governor also highlighted five main social challenges that require immediate and coordinated attention from the Social Welfare Department for documentation and mass awareness, stating, “There are five main challenges – Drugs, HIV or AIDS, TB, Cancer and teenage pregnancy.” He called upon the State to come together as a society and work collectively towards achieving a Nasha Mukt Bharat.
The Governor underscored the critical need for sustained public awareness and deep community participation to effectively curb substance abuse. He took the opportunity to commend the commendable role played by various stakeholders, including government agencies, educational institutions, NGOs, and youth volunteers, in ensuring the campaign reached the grassroots level.
The Governor further reinforced the commitment to the mission by administering a solemn anti-drug pledge to all participants. The pledge underscored the role of the youth as the energy of the nation and stressed that change must begin with oneself.
Officials from the Social Welfare Department subsequently presented a comprehensive overview of the significant progress achieved under the campaign over the past half-decade. Achievements cited include the expansion of counseling services, intensified outreach programs targeting vulnerable communities, and the strengthening of rehabilitation initiatives.
Notably, the campaign has successfully sensitized and educated more than 14 lakh people in Meghalaya and covered over 1,923 educational institutions through diverse outreach activities.
The programme, which was also attended by Shri Paul Lyngdoh, Adviser to the Social Welfare Department, Government of Meghalaya, along with other senior department officials, civil society representatives, educational leaders, and youth groups, concluded with a renewed and unified call for action. The objective remains to carry forward the mission of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan with greater vigor, ensuring a safe, healthier and addiction-free future for the State and the nation.
