Governor chairs virtual meeting with Vice Chancellors on Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan
Governor calls for forming and strengthening institutional and departmental drug-free committees in academic institutions
Guwahati,Rongili Barta: To take anti-drug awareness and prevention activities to a higher level, and forge institutional collaboration, Assam Governor Shri Lakshman Prasad Acharya today chaired a virtual meeting with the Vice Chancellors (VCs) of State and Central Universities of Assam and other heads of higher educational institutions at Raj Bhavan. The VC was a sequel of initiatives undertaken by the Raj Bhavan, Assam to full scale implementation of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.
The Governor during the VC reiterated on the need of enhanced efforts from educational institutions for a Nesha Mukt Bharat, which he said holds the key for safeguarding the health, securing the future, and building character of students. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Government of India launched the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan in 2020, which has since evolved into a nationwide jan andolan, drawing participation from lakhs of students, teachers, voluntary groups, and social workers.
Citing Assam’s unique challenges and responsibilities, the Governor noted that while the State is rich in cultural heritage and youth potential, its geographical proximity to drug-trafficking routes particularly those linked to the Golden Triangle has made it vulnerable. He commended the dedicated efforts of police forces, healthcare workers, and social organizations for putting a deterrence on the trade of contraband drugs. He, however, reiterated that the lasting solution lies in the collective strength of educational institutions and their pro-activeness to deal with the menace of use of contraband substances. He stressed on the need for strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures issued by the Education Department and the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment to curb drug abuse.
The Governor asked the VCs to adhere to the protocol of ensuring a drug-free pledge at admission. He also asked them to form institutional and departmental drug-free committees, conduct regular awareness activities, strengthen hostel monitoring, and provide sensible counseling through services such as Tele-MANAS, the National Drug De-addiction Helpline, and MANAS.
He also stressed on the need of integration of mental health and drug-prevention topics into curricula and encouraged greater collaboration with police, community groups, healthcare institutions, and national agencies like NIMHANS, AIIMS, and NISD for capacity-building.
Shri Acharya during the VC also appealed to educational institutions to contribute generously to the welfare of ex-servicemen, Veer Naris, and Veer Mothers, in the upcoming Armed Forces Flag day.
DGP Assam Harmeet Singh and Secretary, Higher Education Narayan Konwar also addressed the meeting. Zonal Director, Narcotics Control Bureau, Prakash Ranjan Mishra delivered a detailed presentation on drug awareness and activities undertaken by the agency.
Commissioner and Secretary to the Governor S.S.Meenakshi Sundaram, Addl.Secretary Bidit Das, Director of Sainik Welfare, Assam Brig Palash Choudhury also attended the VC.