100 weeks to a drug-free India: Why every Sunday will now focus on fighting substance abuse

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch a 100-week nationwide campaign against drug and substance abuse on Sunday, aiming to mobilise young people to lead the fight for a drug-free India.

Named 'Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan', the initiative seeks to encourage youth to stay away from substance abuse while inspiring them to become ambassadors of positive social change in their communities.

According to an official statement, the launch will mark the beginning of a 100-week 'Jan Bhagidari' campaign, with awareness and community engagement activities scheduled every Sunday across the country.

The weekly programmes will feature sports events, walkathons, meditation sessions, cultural performances, awareness drives, nukkad nataks (street plays), discussion forums, art competitions and other community-based initiatives to spread awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.

The campaign aims to strengthen community participation by bringing together educational institutions, youth organisations, civil society groups, industry bodies and spiritual organisations to create a united movement against substance abuse.

More than 10,000 locations across India are expected to participate in the launch. The programme will also see virtual participation from MY Bharat volunteers, National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers, youth clubs, schools, colleges, universities, NGOs, youth wings of industry associations and more than 125 partner spiritual organisations.

According to the MY Bharat portal, more than 21.2 lakh young people have taken the Nasha Mukt Bharat Pledge, committing themselves to stay away from substance abuse and support the vision of a drug-free India. The government aims to significantly increase participation as the 100-week campaign gathers momentum nationwide.