Shillong(Meghalaya), May 28 : Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse called for a mission-mode people’s movement to fight drug abuse, telling leaders and youth at IIM Shillong that India’s biggest strength is its young population and guiding them right is the only way to achieve Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Speaking at the “Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat – Purvottar” programme organised by MY Bharat, Khadse said substance abuse cannot be seen as an individual problem and needs coordinated community action and sustained institutional support. She asked Youth Officers and partner groups to take MY Bharat initiatives to every district and every section, adding that sports can be the strongest tool to channel youth energy and keep them away from addiction, stress and isolation.
Khadse said the Northeast already has a deep sports culture and linking more youth with sports, culture and spiritual programmes will build constructive social engagement. The event brought together 24 spiritual and social organizations, youth officers, civil society members and institutional leaders to map out stronger anti-drug outreach across the region.
Department of Youth Affairs Secretary Pallavi Jain Govil, MY Bharat CEO Dr. Priyanka Shukla and IIM Shillong Director Prof. Nalini Prava Tripathy attended the programme. Tripathy said sports and management education together shape responsible citizens and noted that IIM Shillong pushes yoga, meditation, cultural activities and co-curricular work to support students’ emotional growth. She urged participants to become ambassadors against substance abuse.
The programme also featured presentations on the MY Bharat Portal and best practices in de-addiction and youth outreach. Khadse said ideas from earlier consultations in Varanasi under the Kashi Declaration are already being implemented and assured that the Ministry will keep working with institutions, NGOs and community groups to strengthen awareness and grassroots action. The meeting ended with a collective pledge to drive youth-led efforts for a drug-free, healthier and socially empowered India.
