Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh Shri Gulab Chand Kataria formally launched the “Anti-Drug Awareness Campaign” started by Punjab Unaided Colleges Association (PUCA) in Chandigarh. The Governor was present as the chief guest on the occasion and made the youth take a pledge to stay away from drugs.
In his address, the Governor termed this campaign as the need of the hour and an important initiative towards social change and said, “Zero Tolerance for Drugs is not just a slogan, it should become a lifestyle of the society.” He said that drug addiction is a social and national crisis, which slowly destroys the body, mind, relationships and future.
Governor Kataria said that the participation of more than 250 colleges in this campaign shows that it is no longer just an organisational initiative but has taken the form of a mass movement. He thanked PUCA President Dr. Anshu Kataria and her team for this commendable effort and said that “your effort is going to give a new direction to the youth.”
He particularly shared the view that, “Hating a child does not keep him away from addiction. If a child has fallen into the grip of addiction, then we need to think about what we are doing to get him out.”
The Governor also said that “If we make our campus a drug-free zone, then we can succeed to a great extent in the direction of de-addiction.” He stressed the need to free the youth from addiction and connect them with employment and purpose.
The Governor called upon educational institutions to act not just as educational centers but as centers of value-based leadership and social consciousness. He urged the colleges to regularly organize mental health sessions, counselling, sports, cultural activities and de-addiction workshops so that students get a positive environment.
Sh. Satnam Singh Sandhu, Member of Parliament, termed drug addiction in the country as international Narco-Terrorism, calling it a deliberate and organized conspiracy to weaken the youth, destabilize society, and threaten national security. He warned that Punjab, being a border state, is facing a silent war where drugs are being used as weapons by anti-national forces. He urged that this issue be treated not just as a social problem but as a serious threat to the nation’s integrity
PUCA President Mr. Anshu Kataria said that “All our colleges will work collectively for this mission and make this program successful at every level. This is not just a program but a resolution which will give direction to our students in life.”
At the end of the programme, the Governor made the students, teachers and representatives of the institutions present take a collective pledge of “No to Drugs, Yes to Life”. Addressing the youth, he said, “You are not only the future of India, but the backbone of its present. You are the power that can become the ray of hope in the darkness of drug addiction.”
Vice Chancellors of Universities, College Principals, teachers and a large number of students were present on the occasion.
