Dr. Virendra Kumar also administered two key pledges to the assembled gathering — the 'Nasha Mukti Ki Shapath' (Anti-Drug Pledge) and the 'Garimapoorn Vriddhavastha Ki Shapath' (Aging with Dignity Pledge) / Handout

Haridwar (India)—A ten-day nationwide crusade against substance abuse—the Nasha Mukt Bharat Saptah (Drug-Free India Week)—drew to a powerful close on June 26 at Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya (DSVV) in Haridwar, with Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar leading a massive public rally and administering anti-addiction pledges to thousands of citizens.

Held under the national theme "Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan – Viksit Bharat Ki Pehchan" (Drug-Free India Campaign – Identity of a Developed India), the campaign, which ran from June 17 to June 26, 2026, witnessed the active participation of over 13 million citizens across the country through a wide spectrum of awareness and community engagement activities.

Grand Finale at DSVV

The concluding national program at DSVV was graced by notable personalities, including Dr. Virendra Kumar, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment; Dr. Chinmay Pandya, pro-vice chancellor of DSVV; Swami Chidanand Saraswati, president and spiritual head of Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh; senior representatives of the Uttarakhand government; and several other eminent national dignitaries.

The highlight of the day was a 'Nasha Mukt Rally' led by Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar himself, in which nearly 4,000 citizens, youth volunteers, and community leaders marched through the university campus, projecting a united and resolute front against the scourge of drugs and substance abuse.

Dr. Virendra Kumar also administered two key pledges to the assembled gathering — the 'Nasha Mukti Ki Shapath' (Anti-Drug Pledge) and the 'Garimapoorn Vriddhavastha Ki Shapath' (Aging with Dignity Pledge) — underscoring the government's dual commitment to building a drug-free society and ensuring inclusive care for senior citizens.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Virendra Kumar said, "A drug-free India is not merely a government program—it is a social, cultural, and moral mass movement. As we march towards Viksit Bharat 2047, building a healthy, cultured, and addiction-free society is our collective responsibility, in which the government, society, families, educational institutions, and the youth must all play an equal role."

Voices From the Dais

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Chinmay Pandya, lent a deeply spiritual and academic perspective to the campaign. He said: "At Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, we believe that the most powerful antidote to addiction is a life rooted in purpose, values, and inner strength. Education that nurtures the soul alongside the mind is the true foundation of a drug-free India. Today's youth must be empowered not just with knowledge, but with the wisdom to choose a life of dignity and service."

Glimpses from the event / Handout

Historic MoUs Signed

In a significant institutional milestone, official Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were formally signed between the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Akhil Vishwa Gayatri Parivar.

This landmark partnership, forged under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan and the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana, aims to strengthen grassroots awareness, drug demand reduction, community mobilisation, and elderly welfare at the national level.

A Wave of People's Participation

Over the ten-day period, a sweeping wave of community activities energised citizens across India. These included Nasha Mukti Mitra registrations, street plays (nukkad nataks), youth seminars, slogan-writing contests, e-pledge campaigns, painting competitions, and community yoga sessions promoting a healthy and addiction-free lifestyle.

Outstanding performers among states, Union Territories, districts, grant-in-aid institutions, and individual Nasha Mukti Mitras were felicitated for their exemplary grassroots contributions. The event was conducted in a hybrid format, drawing participation from students, youth, rehabilitation centre operators, and volunteers from across the length and breadth of the country.

The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment has called upon all institutional stakeholders, academic bodies, local agencies, and youth networks to sustain the momentum and help realise the inspiring vision of "Nasha Mukt Bharat, Khushhal Bharat" — a Drug-Free India, a Happy India.

 

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