Will the ‘Youth Spiritual Summit’ in Varanasi Start a Special Drive Against Drug Addiction?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Youth empowerment is essential for nation-building.
- A comprehensive drive against drug addiction is crucial.
- Collaboration with NGOs and institutions enhances effectiveness.
- The event will engage 500 youth delegates in meaningful discussions.
- Commitment towards Nasha Mukt Bharat by 2047 is a key goal.
New Delhi, July 14 (NationPress) Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya announced on Monday that a ‘Youth Spiritual Summit’ will take place in Varanasi from July 18 to 20. This event will signal the launch of a focused and comprehensive initiative aimed at liberating the youth from drug addiction while empowering them to become the ‘torchbearers of Amrit Kaal’ and play a pivotal role in nation-building.
The initiative, themed ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat’, aims to harness the potential of youth to promote ‘yuva shakti’ and cultivate a drug-free society.
During a press conference, Mansukh Mandaviya stated, “The summit will set the stage for a nationwide grassroots movement – Jan Andolan – aimed at identifying the sources of drugs, eradicating them at their roots, and establishing a drug-free India.”
The Minister highlighted that the youth of the nation are the “Torchbearers of Amrit Kaal – the pathway to a Viksit Bharat,” noting that over 65 percent of India’s populace is under 35, positioning them as the driving force behind national progress.
Emphasizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for a Viksit Bharat by 2047, he reiterated that the younger generation must take charge, not merely as beneficiaries but as agents of change shaping the future of India.
He warned that substance abuse poses a significant threat to the youth today, asserting that getting ensnared in drug use at an early age not only jeopardizes their futures but also hampers national advancement.
The government is actively engaged in a holistic, inclusive, and forward-looking anti-drug campaign, collaborating with NGOs, educational institutions, and spiritual organizations to tackle the drug issue.
The three-day summit will unfold along the sacred banks of the River Ganga and will host 500 youth delegates from the youth wings of 100 spiritual organizations, who will discuss and devise actionable strategies to combat drug addiction.
The summit will include four plenary sessions, focusing on: understanding addiction and its effects on youth; dismantling peddler networks and commercial interests; effective campaigning and outreach; and establishing a comprehensive commitment towards Nasha Mukt Bharat by 2047.
Keynote speeches by experts, moderated panel discussions, and open forums will ensure that every delegate plays a role in shaping this national strategy.