Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the Drug Free Campus Campaign at Delhi University, emphasizing the need for Central higher educational institutions to actively participate. He urged the Education Minister to ensure sustained efforts in protecting youth from substance abuse to achieve the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. Radhakrishnan highlighted the importance of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, focusing on mental health, life skills, and student well-being.
Initiatives like the Drug Free Campus Campaign align with the NEP’s spirit by fostering safe, inclusive, and nurturing learning environments. The Vice-President praised Delhi University for integrating awareness programs, counseling mechanisms, and student-led initiatives to combat substance abuse. He encouraged students to be vigilant, support peers in need, and set an example by speaking out against substance abuse.
Describing India as a youthful nation, Radhakrishnan emphasized that substance abuse is not just a personal issue but a significant social and public health challenge. He stressed the role of universities in shaping values, nurturing leadership, and securing the nation’s future. Radhakrishnan launched a dedicated e-pledge platform and mobile application under the ‘Nasha Mukt Parisar Abhiyaan’, urging students nationwide to participate actively for a drug-free campus.
Drug abuse impacts physical and mental health, academic performance, family harmony, productivity, and national security, including its ties to narco-terrorism. The Vice-President highlighted that a healthy, drug-free youth is essential for realizing the vision of a developed and self-reliant India. A drug-free youth, he noted, can better acquire skills, promote entrepreneurship, and contribute significantly to economic growth and national progress.
