“This is not merely a government programme; it is a people’s movement.” With this message, Tripura Governor Indrasena Reddy Nallu on Sunday urged every citizen to join the fight against drug abuse. Speaking at the launch of the Nasha Mukt Yuva Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan, he warned that Tripura’s border location makes its youth especially vulnerable to narcotics and called for a united social response.
Quick Glance
- Governor says the anti-drug campaign must become a people’s movement.
- Tripura’s international border makes the state vulnerable to drug trafficking.
- Parents, teachers, students and community leaders asked to join the fight.
- National campaign focuses on prevention, awareness, treatment and rehabilitation.
- Governor administers the Nasha Mukt Bharat pledge to participants.
Agartala August 2: Tripura Governor Indrasena Reddy Nallu placed public participation at the centre of India’s anti-drug mission while addressing the virtual launch of the Nasha Mukt Yuva Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan on Sunday.
He attended the programme at the Conference Hall of the Academic Building of Tripura Central University, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the nationwide campaign.
The programme was jointly organised by MY Bharat and Tripura Central University.
Addressing students, volunteers and officials, the Governor said the campaign could succeed only if every section of society accepted responsibility.
He urged the people of Tripura to treat the fight against drugs as a social movement rather than a government initiative.
Parents, teachers and youth have a vital role
The Governor appealed to parents to educate their children about the dangers of drug addiction from an early age. He asked teachers to guide students towards positive choices and help them stay away from harmful influences.
He also urged community leaders to become role models by setting positive examples in public life. The Governor called upon young people to reject drugs and encourage their friends to make the same commitment. He said youth possess the power to influence society and can become the strongest force against drug abuse.
Tripura’s border makes the challenge more serious
Highlighting the state’s unique situation, the Governor said Tripura’s geographical location and long international border make it particularly vulnerable to illegal drug trafficking.
He warned that drug networks often target young people because they are easier to influence.
According to the Governor, addiction destroys not only individual lives but also families, educational opportunities and social harmony. He described the youth as the state’s greatest asset and stressed that protecting them must remain a collective priority. He said governments alone cannot eliminate the menace.
Educational institutions, civil society organisations, local communities and ordinary citizens must work together to keep young people away from narcotics, he added.
National campaign builds on long-term strategy
The Governor said the Government of India has taken consistent steps to combat drug abuse since 2014 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He explained that the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment serves as the nodal ministry for reducing drug demand.
The ministry has prepared the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR).
The plan promotes a comprehensive approach that combines prevention, public awareness, early identification, counselling, treatment and rehabilitation.
The Governor said this integrated strategy recognises that drug addiction is both a law enforcement challenge and a public health issue.
Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan expanded nationwide
The Governor noted that the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA), launched on August 15, 2020, is one of the flagship initiatives under the NAPDDR.
The campaign initially covered 272 drug-vulnerable districts across the country. Its success led to its expansion to every district in India. He said the campaign now aims to reach schools, colleges, universities, youth organisations and local communities with a common message against drug abuse.
Three pillars of the anti-drug mission
The Governor outlined the three major pillars of the national campaign.
- The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) works to curb the supply of illegal narcotics.
- The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment leads awareness and outreach programmes.
- The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare provides treatment and rehabilitation services for people struggling with addiction.
He said these three pillars together create a comprehensive framework for tackling the drug problem.
Pledge for a drug-free India
During the programme, Governor Indrasena Reddy Nallu administered the Nasha Mukt Bharat pledge to all participants.
Students, MY Bharat volunteers and officials pledged to work towards building a drug-free society.
The event was attended by Tripura Central University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Debabrata Das, Special Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Social Education Tapan Kumar Das, West Tripura District Magistrate Dr. Vishal Kumar, MY Bharat Tripura Director Mehboob Alam Laskar, faculty members, students and other distinguished guests.
The programme concluded with a renewed appeal for collective action against drug abuse.
The Governor reiterated that protecting Tripura’s youth requires more than government policies. It demands sustained participation from families, educational institutions, community leaders and every responsible citizen. He said only a united social movement can help realise the vision of a drug-free and developed India.
