On International Youth Day, the Himachal Gyan Vigyan Samiti leadership engaged with youth across the state

On International Youth Day, the leadership of Himachal Gyan Vigyan Samiti engaged in discussions with youth across the state on the issue of drug abuse and called on them to take the lead in the campaign against it. The committee, with the exception of tribal districts, organized dialogues in all other districts under the theme “Direct Dialogue with Youth,” focusing on the increasing drug abuse in society. The dialogue spanned three generations. Apart from the senior leadership, veterans and senior members of the committee, including Prof. T.D. Verma, Prof. Gulati, Prof. B.S. Panwar, Prof. K.S. Dhir, Urmil Thakur, and Hiranand Shandil, also participated in direct dialogue with the youth and urged them to take action. Committee President Dr. Om Prakash in Shimla, State Secretary Satyawan Pundir and Joint Secretary Sita Ram Thakur in Chamba, Senior Vice President Virendra Kapoor in Nahan, and Vice President Dr. R.K. Sharma in Kullu engaged in dialogue with the youth. Additionally, State Treasurer Bhim Singh, Joint Secretary Gajendra Sharma, Sunita Bisht, along with various members of the state executive and district secretaries, also discussed the growing problem of drug abuse with the youth. The dialogue in Nahan, held at the DIET Institute, was attended by Honorable MLA Mr. Ajay Solanki. In several districts, Superintendents of Police and senior police officials also participated in the program.

Programs were organized at the committee’s state headquarters in Shimla, as well as in the development blocks of Rampur and Tutu. At the state office, State President Dr. Om Prakash, along with District Secretary Naveen Sharma, Seema Chauhan, Sumitra Chandel, Dr. Reena Singh, and Dr. Kuldeep Singh Tanwar, engaged in dialogue with the youth. While discussing with the youth, the committee’s founding president, Dr. Kuldeep Singh Tanwar, emphasized that the desires and aspirations that youth pursue today are hindered by drug abuse. Whether it’s respect, wealth, fame, love, physical or mental happiness, if a youth takes even one wrong step towards drugs, all these aspirations become just a dream. Drugs might temporarily alleviate anxiety or problems, but when addiction sets in, it leads to inevitable destruction and ultimately a premature and painful death. Dr. Tanwar stated that to eradicate the problem of drugs from its roots, it is essential for all sections of society, communities, social organizations, and the government to work together. He also stressed the need for policy intervention in this direction and appealed to the government to form a committee under the Chief Minister’s leadership that includes government, administration, departments, and social organizations.
Committee Secretary Satyawan expressed concern over the issue of drug abuse, noting that the arrival of synthetic drugs in remote areas like Chamba is a serious threat. He stated that the committee would make every possible effort to eradicate drugs from the state and will work to involve all sections in the youth rescue campaign.
On August 20, the committee will organize National Scientific Temper Day across the country and the state, where the scientific aspects of the effects of drugs and the promotion of a scientific outlook will be discussed.