The Nasha Mukt Bharat Sankalp padayatra led by Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya culminated in Kamrup Metropolitan district on Friday with hundreds of students, youth volunteers, NCC and NSS cadets, ex-servicemen, social organisation representatives, civil society members taking part in the campaign against drug abuse.
The padayatra, which began on September 17, covered 10 districts such as Cachar, Sribhumi, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Dhubri, Barpeta, Diphu, Hojai, Kamrup and Kamrup (Metro), carrying the message of ill effects of substance abuse by generating awareness and collective responsibility in the fight against drugs.
Addressing a gathering at the District Library in Guwahati, the Governor said the Nasha Mukt Bharat Sankalp padayatra was not just a journey of public awareness but a collective resolve of Assam towards building a healthy, value-based and empowered society.
Recalling the life and teachings of Mahatma Gandhi on Gandhi Jayanti, Acharya emphasised the importance of truth, self-restraint, cleanliness, discipline and service in building a strong society.
He also paid tribute to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri whose birth anniversary is observed on October 2, recalling his ideals of simplicity, integrity, discipline and dedication to the nation.
The Governor said that the lives of both Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri continue to inspire citizens to place duty, service and national interest above self.
Highlighting the importance of the youth in the fight against drug abuse, the Governor said that healthy and value-based youths are the foundation of a healthy and developed society.
He called upon parents, teachers, social organisations, religious and spiritual institutions, police, administration, media and young people to work together to prevent drug abuse.
“Healthy youths can build a healthy society. Value-based youth can build a value-based society. And aware and responsible youth can build a developed nation,” the Governor said.
Referring to Assam’s development journey, Acharya said the vision of a prosperous, healthy and safe Assam can only be realised by strengthening the state’s human resources and protecting its younger generation from the menace of drugs.
