Officials along with the participants during the Yuva Sanwad – Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat’ programme held at Kashiram on October 9.
Dimapur, October 10 (MExN): The National Service Scheme (NSS) unit of MGM College organised ‘Yuva Sanwad – Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat’ under the theme ‘My Health, My Pride’ at its adopted village, Kashiram, on October 9.
The programme was held as part of Week 4 of the 100-Week Sankalp Abhiyan to sensitise young people to the harmful effects of substance abuse and encourage them to make healthy, responsible and positive choices.
Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 2, the Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan is a nationwide initiative aimed at building a drug-free generation through four key pillars — Prevent, Protect, Recover and Lead.
MY Bharat-NSS is taking the message to educational institutions and adopted villages, reinforcing the NSS motto, “Not Me, But You”, through community engagement and youth participation.
I Sentinuklu Jamir, councillor of the Dimapur Municipal Council, attended the programme as the chief guest. In his address, he said building a drug-free society required collective responsibility, community participation and sustained efforts to empower young people.
He urged the youth to make informed decisions, resist substance abuse and contribute positively to society and nation-building.
Neimhanu Kulnu, psychiatric social worker at District Hospital, Dimapur, delivered the keynote address, highlighting the importance of physical and mental well-being.
She cautioned that substance use often begins with casual experimentation and the misleading belief that trying it once would cause no harm, but could gradually develop into a serious and life-threatening problem.
Urging participants to embrace the message “Say No to Drugs, Not No to Life”, she stressed the importance of protecting mental health and making informed choices.
Kulnu also emphasised that people struggling with addiction should be treated with compassion rather than being shamed or labelled. She called for a supportive and non-judgmental approach and urged the community to help those affected seek professional assistance and begin their recovery.
A major highlight was a youth-led interactive dialogue that provided students and young people with a platform to express their concerns about substance abuse and share their views on building an addiction-free society. The discussion encouraged awareness, open communication and collective commitment to protecting the future of young people.
Dr A Temsuyanger, nodal officer of the Dimapur Mental Health Programme and consultant psychiatrist at District Hospital, Dimapur, conducted a session on addiction and mental health.
He addressed questions raised by students and explained the psychological and social challenges associated with substance use, while emphasising the importance of awareness, timely intervention and professional support.
NSS volunteers of MGM College also presented a street play on ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva’, depicting the harmful consequences of substance abuse and the importance of responsible choices. The performance conveyed the need for a drug-free youth and a healthier, safer and more responsible society.
