Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, organised a grand event under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Welfare, Government of Goa, at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium, Bambolim, on Friday (February 27).
The programme, organised on the theme ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat, Khushhaal Bharat’ in commemoration of the fifth anniversary of the launch of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, brought together policymakers, youth, civil society representatives, students and other stakeholders in a unified resolve to build a drug-free India.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Virendra Kumar, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, said that the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan is not merely a campaign but a nationwide people’s movement aimed at safeguarding the youth and strengthening families and communities. Highlighting the importance of coordinated efforts among Central and State Governments, educational institutions, law enforcement agencies and community organizations, the Union Minister called upon the youth to become ambassadors of change.
“Crores of people have benefitted from the consistent campaign run by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment across the country. The participation of youth, volunteers, NGOs, government departments and religious organizations in the campaigns has been amazing. I congratulate the Goa govt and the social welfare department for organizing this mega event by bringing together scores of people from all walks of life,” he said.
Dr. Virendra Kumar also administered a pledge against drug abuse at the event, urging citizens to remain vigilant and proactive in preventing substance misuse.
In his address, Dr. Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister of Goa, reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to supporting the objectives of NMBA. Talking about the importance of sustained awareness drives, community participation and robust rehabilitation mechanisms, he said that Goa must collectively ensure that its future generations are protected from the menace of drugs. “The attitude of ‘let me just try it once’ often leads to drug addiction. I want the youth of Goa to stay away from that attitude. Parents of addicted kids should not hesitate to approach de-addiction centers. The government is actively involved in awareness activities in the State. The anti-narcotic cell of the Goa police is constantly monitoring drug trade in State and we have destroyed seized drugs worth crores of rupees in last seven-eight years,” he said.
“As the country is moving ahead aiming Viksit Bharat 2047, the Nasha Mukt Bharat 2047 is an important part of the mission as that is directly connected with the youth of this country. The state of Goa will be very much part of the mission by becoming Nasha Mukt Goa by 2037,” the Chief Minister said.
Subhash Phal Dessai, Minister for Social Welfare, Government of Goa, also spoke at the event. Sudhansh Pant, Secretary, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India; Sarpreet Singh Gill, Secretary for Social Welfare, Government of Goa; and Prathima Gupta, Deputy Director General, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, were also present at the program.
The event also featured cultural programmes on the NMBA theme, including a Dekhni dance and a street play, conveying the harmful effects of drug abuse and the importance of collective action. Eminent personalities, recovered drug users, master volunteers and competition winners were felicitated at the event in recognition of their contribution to the campaign.
Earlier in the day, a Youth Rally was organized as part of the programme to spread awareness and mobilize public support for the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, reinforcing the message of a united stand against drug abuse.
