Report on Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan for Viksit Bharat Interactive Sensitisation Programme at Apeejay Stya University

Introduction

As part of the nationwide Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan for Viksit Bharat, Apeejay Stya University organised an interactive sensitisation programme for its students and faculty members on 10 August 2026. The programme was organised with the objective of creating awareness among young people about the harmful effects of drug abuse, the importance of prevention, the role of families and educational institutions, and the collective responsibility of society in building a drug-free India.

The programme was organised in the backdrop of the recent launch of the Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan at the national level by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, with Haryana taking a leading role in the campaign. The University joined this national movement by engaging its youth directly in dialogue, awareness, prevention and commitment towards a drug-free society.

The programme was organised under the leadership of the University’s Nasha Mukt Abhiyan Committee, with active coordination by NSS and Rotaract Club, ASU.

2. Chief Guest and Speaker

The programme was addressed by Dr. Ashok Kumar Varma, Police Officer, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Haryana. Dr. Ashok Kumar Varma is a President of India Police Medal Awardee for his meritorious services in the police department. His professional experience and association with the Narcotics Control Bureau brought valuable practical insights into the challenges of drug abuse, drug trafficking, prevention, enforcement and rehabilitation.

His interaction with the youth provided an opportunity for students and faculty members to understand the issue of substance abuse not merely as a law-enforcement concern but also as a social, psychological, family and educational challenge.

3. Pre-Programme Community Radio Interaction

Before interacting directly with the students and faculty members, Dr. Ashok Kumar Varma participated in a podcast/interview for Radio Styavani 88.4 MHz, the Community Radio Station of Apeejay Stya University.

The podcast was aimed at taking the message of the Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan beyond the physical campus and reaching the wider community through community radio.

During the interaction, the importance of awareness, prevention and youth participation in the movement towards a drug-free society was highlighted.

The Community Radio initiative added an important dimension to the programme by using media and technology for community sensitisation.

4. Welcome and Opening of the Programme

The interactive session commenced with the welcome of the Chief Guest by Dr. Vijay Kumar, Member Secretary, Nasha Mukt Abhiyan Committee, Apeejay Stya University, Coordinator, NSS & Rotaract Club, ASU, and the organiser/coordinator of the University’s Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan for Viksit Bharat.

Dr. Vijay Kumar welcomed Dr. Ashok Kumar Varma to the University and expressed his gratitude for accepting the invitation to interact directly with the ASU fraternity.

He emphasised the importance of involving students and young people in national campaigns because youth constitute an important force in building a healthy, responsible and developed India.

5. Address by Prof. Sanjay Ahirwal

Following the welcome address, Prof. Sanjay Ahirwal, Dean of Student Welfare (DSW) and Chairperson of the Nasha Mukt Abhiyan Committee, Apeejay Stya University, addressed the gathering.

He highlighted the importance of organising awareness and sensitisation programmes on drug abuse within universities.

He observed that educational institutions have an important responsibility in creating awareness among young people and developing a campus culture that promotes:

• Healthy lifestyles
• Responsible choices
• Positive peer relationships
• Mental and emotional wellbeing
• Social responsibility
• Drug-free living

Prof. Ahirwal also expressed his gratitude to Dr. Ashok Kumar Varma for taking time to interact with the ASU youth and for sharing his professional experience and guidance with the University community.

6. Interactive Session by Dr. Ashok Kumar Varma

Dr. Ashok Kumar Varma then conducted an interactive and highly informative session with students and faculty members.

Rather than limiting the programme to a conventional lecture, he engaged with the participants and sensitised them about different dimensions of drug abuse and the measures required to prevent it.

Major themes covered during the interaction included:

6.1 Role of NCB Haryana

Dr. Varma explained the role of the Narcotics Control Bureau, Haryana in addressing the problem of drug abuse.

He highlighted the importance of:

• Enforcement against illegal drugs and drug trafficking
• Prevention through awareness and sensitisation
• Rehabilitation and support for persons affected by drug addiction
• Collaboration between enforcement agencies, families, educational institutions and society

The interaction helped students understand that combating drug abuse requires a multi-dimensional and coordinated approach.

6.2 Drug Abuse and Young People

Dr. Varma sensitised students about the dangers associated with substance abuse and the need for young people to make informed and responsible choices.

He encouraged students to remain alert to behavioural changes among their peers and friends and to seek appropriate support whenever they encounter situations related to drug abuse.

6.3 Role of Parents and Family

One of the important messages delivered during the programme was the role of parents in preventing substance abuse.

Dr. Varma appealed to parents to:

• Spend quality time with their children;
• Maintain open and healthy communication;
• Closely observe behavioural changes;
• Remain aware of their children’s social environment and activities; and
• Provide timely emotional and family support.

The emphasis on family interaction reinforced the idea that prevention begins with awareness, communication and supportive relationships.

7. Direct Support and Guidance

Dr. Ashok Kumar Varma also shared information about the available support mechanisms for persons who may require assistance concerning drug abuse.

He mentioned the toll-free support number(s) of the Central Government and NCB Haryana and also shared his personal contact number with students and faculty members so that individuals could approach him if they needed guidance or assistance concerning drug-abuse-related issues.

This aspect of the programme was particularly appreciated because it provided participants with the confidence that professional guidance and support are available when required.

8. Nasha Mukt Oath

An important component of the programme was the administration of the Nasha Mukt Oath.

Dr. Ashok Kumar Varma administered the oath to the participating students and staff members in Hindi.

The oath provided an opportunity for the ASU fraternity to make a personal commitment towards staying away from drugs and contributing to awareness and prevention within society.

Subsequently, the Nasha Mukt Pledge in English was administered by Prof. Sanjay Ahirwal, DSW and Chairperson, Nasha Mukt Abhiyan Committee.

The pledge transformed the programme from an awareness activity into a collective commitment by the University community towards a drug-free future.

9. Participation of Students and Faculty

The programme witnessed active participation of the ASU youth, including students and faculty members.

The interactive nature of the session encouraged participants to listen, reflect and understand the consequences of drug abuse from the perspective of a professional working in the field of narcotics enforcement and prevention.

The presence of both students and faculty members was significant because creating a drug-free educational environment requires collective responsibility across the entire University community.

10. Key Messages of the Programme

The programme conveyed several important messages:

1. Awareness is the first step towards prevention.
2. Young people must make responsible and informed choices.
3. Drug abuse affects individuals, families and society as a whole.
4. Parents should spend quality time with their children and maintain open communication.
5. Teachers and educational institutions have an important role in early sensitisation and prevention.
6. Drug-related problems require coordinated efforts involving enforcement, prevention and rehabilitation.
7. Students should seek professional help rather than remain silent when they encounter drug-abuse-related concerns.
8. Youth participation is essential for achieving the vision of a drug-free and Viksit Bharat.
9. A healthy and drug-free youth population is an important foundation for national development.
10. Every individual can contribute to the Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan through awareness, responsible behaviour and positive action.

11. Group Photograph and Collective Commitment

The programme concluded with a group photograph involving the participating students, faculty members, organisers and the Chief Guest.

The photograph symbolised the collective commitment of the ASU fraternity to the cause of a drug-free youth and a healthy society.

12. Role of NSS and Rotaract Club, ASU

The programme was organised by the National Service Scheme (NSS), ASU and Rotaract Club, ASU, under the coordination of the University’s Nasha Mukt Abhiyan initiative.

The programme reflects the important role of student-led community-engagement organisations in translating national campaigns into meaningful campus-level activities.

Through such initiatives, NSS and Rotaract provide students with opportunities to move from awareness to action and from individual responsibility to community responsibility.

13. Outcome and Impact

The programme successfully created an environment for direct interaction between a senior law-enforcement professional and the University youth.

The major outcomes included:

• Increased awareness regarding drug abuse and its consequences.
• Better understanding of the role of NCB in enforcement and prevention.
• Sensitisation of students regarding the importance of seeking timely help.
• Emphasis on the role of parents and family in prevention.
• Strengthening of the University’s commitment towards a drug-free campus.
• Participation of students and faculty in the Nasha Mukt Oath and Pledge.
• Creation of a direct communication channel with a professional resource person.
• Dissemination of the campaign message through Radio Styavani 88.4 MHz.
• Alignment of University-level activities with the national Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan for Viksit Bharat.

14. Conclusion

The Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan for Viksit Bharat programme at Apeejay Stya University was a meaningful and impactful initiative aimed at sensitising and empowering the youth against drug abuse.

The interaction with Dr. Ashok Kumar Varma, Police Officer, NCB Haryana and President of India Police Medal Awardee for Meritorious Services, provided students and faculty members with valuable insights into the realities of drug abuse, the role of enforcement agencies and the importance of prevention, family support and rehabilitation.

The programme was further strengthened by the Radio Styavani 88.4 MHz podcast, the addresses by Dr. Vijay Kumar and Prof. Sanjay Ahirwal, the interactive session with students, and the collective administration of the Nasha Mukt Oath and Pledge.

The programme reaffirmed Apeejay Stya University’s commitment to nurturing responsible, healthy, socially conscious and empowered youth who can contribute meaningfully to the vision of a drug-free and Viksit Bharat.

“Be Aware. Be Strong. Be Drug Free.”

“Choose Life. Choose Hope. Say No to Drugs.”