Our Bureau
New Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched the ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan’, a nationwide campaign aimed at combating substance abuse among young people, asserting that a drug-free generation is essential for achieving the vision of a developed India by 2047. The campaign seeks to mobilise students, educational institutions, families and communities in a sustained fight against narcotics through awareness drives and public participation.
Addressing the launch event, the Prime Minister urged young people to remain physically and mentally fit, warning that while drugs may offer a temporary sense of relief, they ultimately destroy lives, careers and families. He also described the spread of narcotics as part of a broader attempt by hostile forces to weaken the country’s youth, calling for a united societal response involving parents, teachers and communities.
As part of the initiative, more than one crore youth reportedly took the Nasha Mukti Pledge, signalling the start of a long-term public movement against substance abuse. The campaign will feature regular awareness programmes, community engagement activities and youth-led initiatives across schools, colleges and universities to encourage healthier lifestyles and informed choices.
The campaign builds on the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports’ ongoing Viksit Bharat Yuva Connect Programme, which has been running across higher educational institutions since July under the same anti-drug theme. The month-long programme engages students through discussions, awareness sessions, youth icon interactions and digital participation on the MY Bharat platform to foster long-term civic engagement alongside drug prevention.
The government has positioned the anti-drug campaign as a key pillar of its broader vision for Viksit Bharat@2047, emphasising that empowering healthy, responsible and socially conscious youth will be central to India’s long-term development goals.