Hojai walks together for a drug-free future as Governor leads Nasha Mukt Bharat Sankalp Padayatra
Guwahati,Rongili Barta: From a shared pledge to a collective movement, Hojai today added its voice to Assam’s growing resolve to build a drug-free society, as hundreds of students, young volunteers, NCC and NSS cadets, social organisations, ex-servicemen, civil society representatives, government officials and citizens came together for the Nasha Mukt Bharat Sankalp Padayatra led by Governor of Assam Shri Lakshman Prasad Acharya at the new campus of Rabindranath Thakur Vishwavidyalaya, Hojai.
The Hojai leg of the Padayatra marks another important step in the Governor’s statewide campaign to take the message of de-addiction and social awareness to the people. Having already carried the campaign from Cachar across other districts, the Governor has taken the Nasha Mukt Bharat Sankalp Padayatra to seven districts, turning each venture out in the street into an opportunity to mobilise communities, particularly the youth, towards a healthier and more purposeful future.
The programme began with the Governor participating in a tree plantation programme at Rabindranath Thakur Vishwavidyalaya.
Speaking at a public meeting, Governor Shri Acharya said that it gave him immense happiness to be present in Hojai, a district known for its natural beauty, religious faith, cultural diversity, social harmony and strong spirit of enterprise.
He expressed confidence that the message emerging from Hojai would travel across communities and contribute to a wider public movement for awareness and de-addiction across Assam.
Describing the Padayatra as a journey of resolve, awareness and hope, the Governor said that its larger purpose was to guide the energy of the youth towards constructive and meaningful pursuits and to protect the happiness of families and the health of society.
Recalling the sacrifices of India’s freedom fighters, including Mahatma Gandhi, Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Khudiram Bose, Ashfaqulla Khan and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, as well as the great sons and daughters of Assam such as Maniram Dewan, Swahid Kushal Konwar, Piyali Phukan, Kanaklata Barua and Kamala Miri, the Governor said that the India they envisioned was not merely a free nation, but a healthy, prosperous, self-reliant and strong India.
He called upon the people, particularly the younger generation, to carry this legacy forward by building a society where young people are healthy, educated, value-driven and conscious of their goals, with no place for addiction.
Calling upon the youth, the Governor said that they are the strength and future of the nation and urged them to move forward with clarity of purpose. He said that when a young person is guided by a meaningful goal, his or her steps naturally move towards a positive future.
The Governor called for transforming the Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign into a people’s movement, stressing that the pledge taken during the Padayatra must be translated into sustained action in everyday life.
He said that the crucial role of schools, colleges and universities in creating awareness about the dangers of substance abuse. Education, he said, is not about acquiring knowledge, but also about developing self-restraint, discipline, sensitivity and a sense of responsibility.
The Governor urged educational institutions, parents, teachers, youth organisations and social organisations to create a sustained environment of awareness, dialogue and support around de-addiction. He also stressed on the importance of connecting young people with sports, yoga, cultural activities, NCC, NSS, community service, skill development and other constructive avenues.
The Governor congratulated the social organisations, volunteers, teachers, students, NCC and NSS cadets, soldiers, religious and social organisations, district administration, ex-servicemen and citizens who joined the Padayatra and contributed to its strength of collective responsibility.
The Padayatra started from the old campus of Rabindranath Thakur Vishwavidyalaya. On reaching the culmination point of the Padayatra, the Governor paid floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, recalling the enduring values of self-discipline, truth and social responsibility associated with his life and ideals.
District Commissioner, Hojai, Shri Sanjay Dutta administered the Nasha Mukt Bharat Sankalp pledge to the participants, who collectively reaffirmed their commitment to working towards a society free from drug abuse.
Among those present were MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, MLA Shiladitya Dev, MLA Sibu Mishra, District Commissioner Sanjay Dutta, Superintendent of Police Nirupam Hazarika, Vice-Chancellor of Rabindranath Thakur Vishwavidyalaya Prof. Manabendra Dutta Choudhury, administrative and police officials, representatives of various social organisations and other dignitaries.