Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse on Thursday, 28 May called for a coordinated, mission-mode response to the rising menace of substance abuse among young people in the Northeast, asserting that protecting the nation's youth is central to realising the vision of a developed India by 2047. She was speaking at the 'Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat – Purvottar' programme held at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Shillong, organised by MY Bharat under the Department of Youth Affairs.

Key Developments at the Shillong Programme

The event brought together representatives from 24 spiritual and social organisations, youth officers, civil society stakeholders, and institutional leaders to deliberate on strategies for deepening anti-drug awareness and youth engagement across the Northeast. Presentations were made on the MY Bharat portal, institutional best practices, and de-addiction outreach models.

The programme was attended by Pallavi Jain Govil, Secretary, Department of Youth Affairs, and Dr Priyanka Shukla, CEO, MY Bharat, among other dignitaries.

What the Minister Said

Khadse stressed that substance abuse must not be treated as an individual failing but as a broader social challenge requiring sustained community and institutional intervention. 'We must collectively take forward the Nasha Mukt Abhiyan in mission mode. Our youth are the greatest strength of the nation, and it is our shared responsibility to guide them in the right direction. If we provide them with positive guidance and opportunities, we will certainly achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047,' she said.

She urged youth officers and partner organisations to ensure that MY Bharat initiatives reach every district and every section of society, emphasising that the platform was designed to connect young people with nation-building efforts at the grassroots level.

Sports and Culture as Counter-Addiction Tools

Khadse highlighted sports as a transformative force capable of channelling youth energy constructively and reducing vulnerability to addiction, stress, and social isolation. She noted that states across the Northeast, along with Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, and Goa, already possess a strong sports culture that could be leveraged further.

'Sports can become one of the most effective instruments for channelling youth energy in a constructive direction. We must connect more youth with sports, local cultural activities and positive community engagement,' she said. She also pointed to cultural and spiritual programmes as avenues for guiding youth towards constructive social responsibility.

Kashi Declaration and Ministry Commitments

The Minister referenced earlier consultations held in Varanasi that produced recommendations under the 'Kashi Declaration', several of which are reportedly being actively pursued by the Ministry. She reaffirmed the government's commitment to working closely with institutions, NGOs, and community stakeholders to strengthen awareness and grassroots implementation of anti-drug initiatives nationwide.

IIM Shillong's Role

Prof Nalini Prava Tripathy, Director of IIM Shillong, said sports and management education together play a vital role in shaping responsible citizens. She observed that sports reduce stress and anxiety while fostering discipline and teamwork, adding that IIM Shillong actively encourages student participation in sports, yoga, meditation, and cultural activities. Tripathy called on participants to emerge as ambassadors against substance abuse, expressing confidence that the programme's deliberations would strengthen the national anti-drug movement.

The event concluded with a collective resolve to advance youth-led efforts towards a drug-free, healthier, and socially empowered India in line with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.