Drug-Free India push in Gandhinagar: Traditional sports drive youth awareness
Synopsis
SAI Gandhinagar and My Bharat turned a Drug-Free India drive into a traditional sports festival, using games like Lagori, tug-of-war, and a Snakes and Ladders variant themed on addiction to reach Gujarat's youth — framing substance-abuse prevention not as a lecture, but as a revival of India's sporting heritage.
Key Takeaways
A Nasha Mukt Bharat awareness event was held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on 24 October 2026 , themed around traditional Indian sports.
The event was jointly organised by SAI Gandhinagar (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Western Centre) and My Bharat .
Activities included Lagori , tug-of-war, sack races, and a Drug-Free India-themed Snakes and Ladders game.
Mountaineer Nisha conducted an awareness session on fitness, discipline, and staying away from substance abuse.
District Youth Officer Vishal Nagrale linked the drive to Prime Minister Modi's vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047 .
A Nasha Mukt Bharat (Drug-Free India) awareness programme was held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, on Saturday, 24 October 2026, centred on the theme 'Celebrating India's Traditional Sports.' The initiative, targeting the youth, sought to promote physical fitness, traditional Indian games, and a healthy, substance-free lifestyle in one unified campaign.
Organising Bodies and Key Activities
The event was jointly organised by the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Western Centre of the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Gandhinagar, and the My Bharat programme. Activities on the day included Lagori (seven stones), tug-of-war, sack races, a Drug-Free India-themed Snakes and Ladders game, 'Knock Out Addiction' (coin toss), 'Choose Fitness' (ring toss), a Fit India fitness challenge, and penalty shoot-outs. Organisers said the mix of competitive and recreational formats was designed to foster teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship while reviving awareness of India's traditional sporting heritage.
Chief Guest Highlights Fitness and Anti-Drug Message
Mountaineer Nisha served as chief guest and conducted an awareness session on fitness, endurance, and healthy lifestyle choices. 'Efforts are being made to convey the message of a Drug-Free India to the youth. It is essential today to keep young people away from substance abuse,' she said. She also underscored the revival of traditional games: 'Many children are unaware of the games that were played in the past. It is heartening to see such messages reaching the youth.'
Government Vision Tied to Viksit Bharat 2047
Vishal Nagrale, District Youth Officer for Jamnagar, linked the drive to the broader national agenda. 'A Drug-Free India is the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We want young people to stay away from substance abuse so that we can realise the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047,' he said. He added that various initiatives are being undertaken to channel youth energy constructively. The event concluded with an awards ceremony recognising winners across the traditional sports and activity segments.
Senior Officials in Attendance
Key attendees included Sachin Sharma, State Director of My Bharat (Gujarat); Pankaj Yadav, Deputy Director of My Bharat; and Shreyansh Singh, Assistant Director of My Bharat (Gujarat). District Youth Officers Amrita Surana (Navsari) and Kajal Sahrawat (Patan) also participated, reflecting multi-district engagement under the programme. The broad official turnout signals a concerted push to embed anti-drug messaging within mainstream youth sports events ahead of forthcoming national outreach drives.
Point of View
Community infrastructure, and school-level follow-up. One-off events are easy to organise and photograph; durable attitude change is harder. The Viksit Bharat 2047 framing also risks making substance-abuse prevention feel like a government KPI rather than a genuine public-health priority — a distinction that matters when designing accountability for outcomes, not just activities.
NationPress
24 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Drug-Free India event held in Gandhinagar on 24 October?
It was a Nasha Mukt Bharat awareness programme co-organised by the SAI's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Western Centre in Gandhinagar and My Bharat, held on 24 October 2026. The event used traditional Indian sports and themed activities to promote a substance-free lifestyle among youth.
Which traditional sports were featured at the Gandhinagar event?
The event featured Lagori (seven stones), tug-of-war, sack races, a Drug-Free India-themed Snakes and Ladders game, 'Knock Out Addiction' (coin toss), 'Choose Fitness' (ring toss), a Fit India fitness challenge, and penalty shoot-outs.
Who was the chief guest at the Gandhinagar Drug-Free India event?
Mountaineer Nisha was the chief guest. She conducted an awareness session on fitness, discipline, endurance, and the importance of avoiding substance abuse.
How does this event connect to government schemes?
Organisers linked it to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Drug-Free India vision and the broader Viksit Bharat 2047 goal. The programme also reinforced the objectives of the Fit India Movement, of which SAI is a key implementing body.
Who attended the Gandhinagar awareness programme?
Key attendees included Sachin Sharma (State Director, My Bharat Gujarat), Pankaj Yadav (Deputy Director, My Bharat), Shreyansh Singh (Assistant Director, My Bharat Gujarat), Vishal Nagrale (District Youth Officer, Jamnagar), Amrita Surana (DYO, Navsari), and Kajal Sahrawat (DYO, Patan).
