How Has Gujarat Engaged Over 35 Lakh Citizens in 8,000 Awareness Activities Under the 'Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan'?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Over 35 lakh citizens engaged through awareness activities.
- More than 8,000 initiatives undertaken in five years.
- Focus on education and prevention rather than enforcement.
- Involvement of youth, women, and social organizations.
- All districts of Gujarat included as of August 2024.
Gandhinagar, Nov 11 (NationPress) The 'Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan' (Drug-Free India Campaign), initiated by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on August 15, 2020, has seen significant advancements in Gujarat regarding the awareness of the perils associated with substance abuse.
In the last five years, the state has conducted over 8,000 activities, including rallies, signature campaigns, seminars, and awareness initiatives such as Nasha Mukti Rath Yatras, successfully reaching and enlightening more than 35 lakh citizens across both urban and rural areas.
Initially, the campaign targeted eight districts of Gujarat, namely Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Bharuch, Mehsana, Surat, Rajkot, Jamnagar, and Porbandar in 2020. It was later expanded in 2022 to include Banaskantha, Bhavnagar, Junagadh, Amreli, Valsad, and Gandhinagar.
As of August 2024, all districts of Gujarat are now part of this initiative.
The core aim of the 'Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan' is to promote awareness regarding the detrimental effects of drug and substance abuse.
With enthusiastic involvement from youth, students, women, and social organizations, in cooperation with local government offices, the campaign has penetrated deeply into schools, colleges, neighborhoods, and villages.
Activities like oath-taking ceremonies, competitions, and the distribution of educational materials have sparked a community-wide dialogue on prevention and rehabilitation.
To commemorate the campaign's fifth anniversary, the Ministry has launched nationwide activities to enhance outreach.
Citizens are also encouraged to take a pledge online at https://nmba.dosje.gov.in/content/take-a-pledge to support the vision of a drug-free India, as stated by the Gandhinagar Directorate of Social Defence.
The 'Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan' is pivotal for India as it confronts one of the nation’s most urgent social and health issues—the escalating problem of drug and substance abuse, particularly among the youth.
Given India's substantial young population, increasing drug addiction poses threats not only to public health but also to productivity, family stability, and national security.
This initiative is crucial because it prioritizes prevention through awareness, community engagement, and rehabilitation, rather than mere enforcement.
It serves to educate citizens, especially students, women, and rural communities, about the physical, mental, and social repercussions of drug abuse.
By involving schools, colleges, NGOs, and local authorities, it cultivates a grassroots movement aimed at behavioral change.