Drug-Free Youth Key to Viksit Bharat Vision: Vice President CP Radhakrishnan
Vice President CP Radhakrishnan on Tuesday said that the vision of a Viksit Bharat can only be achieved when the country’s youth remain drug-free, healthy, and driven by a clear sense of purpose. He was addressing the Drug Free Campus Campaign organised at the University of Delhi in the national capital.
The Drug Free Campus Campaign is part of a broader national push to curb substance abuse among young people. The initiative aligns with the Centre’s Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, which aims to reduce drug dependency through awareness, prevention, and community participation, particularly among students and youth.
Addressing students and faculty, the Vice President stressed that substance abuse is not merely an individual problem but a serious social and public health challenge. He warned that drug addiction poses a direct threat to India’s demographic dividend, which depends heavily on the physical and mental well-being of its young population.
Mr Radhakrishnan underlined that keeping away from drugs is “the need of the hour” and called upon citizens to actively resist and speak out against drug abuse. He emphasised the role of educational institutions in creating awareness and fostering responsible behaviour among students.
Officials associated with the campaign said such outreach programmes are crucial in sensitising young people at an early stage. Experts have repeatedly pointed out that campus-level interventions can play a key role in preventing first-time drug use.
India’s youth population is one of its greatest strengths. Rising substance abuse risks undermining productivity, public health, and social stability. Government-led campaigns combined with institutional participation are seen as essential to addressing the issue at scale.
Reiterating his message, the Vice President said a drug-free youth is fundamental to nation-building. He urged students to become ambassadors of awareness, ensuring that campuses remain safe, healthy, and focused on shaping India’s future.