Governor Dr Haribabu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi and other dignitaries at Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan
Bhubaneswar: On the occasion of the launch of the ‘Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan’, the Odisha Government has reaffirmed its strong commitment to making the state completely drug-free. The national programme, virtually addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was telecast at the state-level event held at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. The event was attended by Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, and Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, along with hundreds of students participating both physically and through virtual platforms.
Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati administered an anti-drug pledge to attendees, emphasizing the crucial role of youth in shaping the nation’s future. Addressing the gathering, he urged young people to choose sports, fitness, yoga, discipline, and social service over addiction.
He called upon young people to become the driving force behind a drug-free India, asserting that the country’s future would be shaped not only by policies and infrastructure but also by the values, choices, and sense of responsibility embraced by its youth.
Speaking at the ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Awareness and Youth Empowerment Campaign’ at Kalinga Stadium, an initiative virtually launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Governor described it as the beginning of a national resolve to build a healthy, confident, and drug-free India.
Commending the Prime Minister for his leadership, Dr Kambhampati stated that the vision of a Nasha Mukt Bharat recognises that India’s greatest strength lies in its youth. He added that a healthy, disciplined, and determined younger generation would play a decisive role in achieving the goal of a developed India by 2047.
The Governor cautioned that drug addiction silently destroys dreams, weakens judgment, and deprives young people of opportunities. He noted that addiction not only harms individuals but also inflicts emotional and financial distress on families, while depriving society and the nation of productive citizens. Rejecting drugs, he added, is not merely a personal choice but a commitment to one’s family, teachers, friends, and the nation.
Encouraging youth to pursue healthy and purposeful lives, Dr Kambhampati urged them to embrace sports, fitness, yoga, culture, innovation, and volunteerism. Referring to Odisha’s emergence as a leading sporting state, he called upon young people to choose playgrounds over drugs, classrooms over addiction, and service over self-destruction. He stressed that creating a drug-free society requires the collective efforts of parents, teachers, educational institutions, communities, and young people themselves, who must become ambassadors of the movement.
Urging every participant to become a torchbearer of the campaign, the Governor called upon the youth to pledge to remain free from drugs and spread the message of awareness, compassion, and responsibility, transforming the campaign into a true people’s movement.
Highlighting Odisha’s emergence as a major sports hub in the country, the Governor encouraged the youth to channel their energy into constructive pursuits such as academics and athletics. He stressed that a drug-free society cannot be achieved by government efforts alone, and called upon parents, teachers, social organizations, and especially the youth to actively participate in this movement.
“The youth must become ambassadors of this campaign. Only then can this initiative evolve into a transformative mass movement,” he stated.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced that the campaign would not be a one-day event but would continue as a sustained ‘Jan-Andolan’ for 100 weeks, spanning nearly two years. He described the initiative as a comprehensive social movement aimed at bringing lasting behavioral change.
“The youth are the real architects of a developed nation. Their health, focus, and discipline will determine India’s future,” the Chief Minister said, praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India by 2047.
He reiterated the state government’s resolve to make Odisha completely drug-free through coordinated efforts involving awareness, enforcement, and rehabilitation.
Expressing concern over the growing menace of drug addiction among youth, the Chief Minister highlighted the increasing use of substances such as brown sugar, cocaine, and synthetic drugs.
He noted that drug abuse is no longer just a health issue but a serious social and economic challenge that weakens individuals and burdens families. “Drug addiction destroys not only individuals but also families and society as a whole. It hampers the overall development of the state,” he said.
Reaffirming the government’s tough stance, Chief Minister Majhi announced a ‘Zero Tolerance’ policy against drug trafficking and illegal trade networks operating in the state.
Sharing enforcement data, he revealed that between July 2024 and June 2026, Odisha Police destroyed illegal cannabis cultivation spread across 63,720 acres, valued at approximately Rs 1,911 crore. During the same period, 2,576 cases were registered, leading to the arrest of 3,699 accused, and seizure of 432 tonnes of cannabis worth around Rs 2,106 crore.
He also cited recent crackdowns on synthetic drug networks in Bhubaneswar and strict action taken against drug mafias in Balasore.
Issuing a stern warning, the Chief Minister said, “Those involved in poisoning the youth with drugs must reform immediately, or be prepared to face strict legal consequences, including bulldozer action.”
Alongside strict enforcement, the government is strengthening rehabilitation and de-addiction facilities to support individuals struggling with substance abuse. The Chief Minister urged citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious drug-related activities to authorities.
He called for collective participation from all stakeholders, including educational institutions, youth organizations, NSS volunteers, MY Bharat members, industries, NGOs, and the media, to transform the campaign into a people’s movement.
“‘Say No to Drugs and Yes to Life and Progress’ must become a shared mission,” he emphasised.
The campaign received an overwhelming response across Odisha. Live streaming of the programme was organized at 453 centers, with over 1.6 lakh participants joining the event.
At the national level, the initiative—led by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports under the ‘MY Bharat’ platform—was conducted simultaneously at more than 10,000 locations, making it one of the largest youth-driven anti-drug movements in recent times.
Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Suryabanshi Suraj highlighted the importance of discipline and collective responsibility among young people. He said students from schools, colleges, NSS units, MY Bharat clubs, and sports hostels would serve as the driving force behind the campaign.
The programme concluded with a strong call for sustained collaboration and commitment to ensure the success of the initiative. With active participation from youth and society at large, the campaign aims to pave the way for a healthier, disciplined, and drug-free Odisha—contributing to the broader vision of a developed India.
