09-09-2026 : Address by the Hon’ble Governor of Uttarakhand on the occasion of the ‘Ek Prayas – Nashamukt Samaj’ programme, under the ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva-Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan’.
Jai Hind!
We have gathered today in the sacred premises of Lok Bhavan to deliberate upon a serious and contemporary issue that is directly connected with the future of our youth, the happiness of our families and the healthy direction of our society.
This is not merely a call for freedom from addiction. It is a resolve to connect our youth power with the light of life, values, aspirations and the right path of nation-building.
Our Sanatan culture has always inspired us to live with purpose, restraint and self-discipline. Our sages and thinkers showed us the path of disciplining the body, mind and thoughts through yoga and meditation, and taught us to channel the energy of youth towards the welfare of society and the nation.
It is with this vision of life that the ‘Ek Prayas – Nashamukt Samaj’ campaign presents a clear call to each one of us—to ensure that life triumphs over addiction, resolve triumphs over distraction, and dreams triumph over darkness.
Our goal is not merely to create a youth that stays away from intoxicants. Our goal is to nurture young people who are healthy, cultured, confident and determined; who recognise their talent, realise their dreams and transform their energy into a force for nation-building.
Because a young person whose eyes hold a dream, whose heart carries determination and whose life has a purpose cannot easily be drawn towards the darkness of addiction.
India has set itself the goal of becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047. This goal cannot be achieved through economic progress, modern technology and strong infrastructure alone. At its very heart must be a healthy, educated, value-driven, confident and drug-free youth.
Today’s youth is laying the foundation of the Viksit Bharat of 2047. Therefore, their health, their thinking, their values and their resolve are directly linked to the future of India. It is this generation that will lead the nation towards Viksit Bharat in 2047.
My dear friends,
Our sages have said:
“Shariramadyam Khalu Dharmasadhanam.”
It means that the human body is the foremost instrument for accomplishing all noble purposes in life.
Therefore, protecting our body and mind from addiction is not merely a matter of health; it is also a responsibility towards our own lives, our families and our nation.
Addiction does not destroy a person overnight. It gradually weakens their judgement and self-confidence, creates distance within relationships and clouds their dreams. And its deepest impact is felt by the family.
A mother sees her future in her child, and a father sees the fulfilment of his life in the success of his child. Therefore, when a young person falls into the grip of addiction, it is not merely an individual who is affected—a family’s hopes are wounded and society’s strength is weakened.
We must also understand that stress, failure, loneliness or peer pressure can sometimes push a young person towards the wrong path. At such moments, they need not condemnation, but support, dialogue and proper guidance.
When stress comes, face it. When you experience failure, learn from it. When a challenge arises, confront it.
Because true victory does not lie in avoiding difficulties; it lies in facing them with courage.
My young friends,
Today, the youth of India are demonstrating their talent and capabilities in science, technology, artificial intelligence, research, sports, entrepreneurship, education and various fields of national service.
Our young men and women are guarding the nation’s borders through our armed forces, while millions of young Indians are contributing to the country’s development through their hard work.
Protecting such a powerful youth force from addiction is not merely a social responsibility—it is a national imperative.
Giving this sentiment the form of a national resolve, the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi Ji, has launched the ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva – Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan’.
The Prime Minister has given a clear message:
“The youth of the country should be healthy in body, healthy in mind, full of self-confidence and should always stay away from deadly habits like drugs.”
He has also called upon us:
“We have to protect every young person from falling into the trap of addiction.”
This campaign will serve as a broad and sustained platform for public awareness, connecting young people with positive pursuits through sports, art, culture, yoga, meditation, service and other constructive activities.
And here, we must understand one thing very clearly:
The alternative to addiction is not merely telling young people, ‘Do not use drugs.’ The real alternative is to give a young person a greater purpose in life.
Connect them with sports. Connect them with yoga and meditation. Connect them with education, art and culture. Connect them with science, innovation and artificial intelligence. Connect them with national service and constructive activities.
A young person who has a purpose in life is far less likely to lose their way.
My teacher colleagues,
You do not merely impart knowledge of subjects to students; you also give direction to their lives.
If you notice a change in a student’s behaviour, if they begin to isolate themselves, or if they start distancing themselves from studies and constructive activities, do not view it merely as a matter of discipline.
Talk to them. Understand their problems. And wherever necessary, ensure that they receive appropriate counselling and support.
Our schools and universities should become centres not only of education, but also of character-building and a culture of a drug-free life.
I also appeal to parents to increase communication with their children. Listen to them. Understand their concerns and difficulties.
If a young person is struggling with addiction, do not hide the problem out of fear of social stigma. Hiding a problem does not provide a solution; dialogue, treatment and rehabilitation open the way forward.
A young person who is trying to overcome addiction does not need condemnation. They need trust and a second chance.
Such young people are true warriors. We must recognise them not by their past, but by their future.
The government is working at various levels—through awareness, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, as well as action against the illegal drug trade.
Yet this challenge cannot be addressed by the government alone.
Families, teachers, universities, society, administration and the youth themselves—all must fulfil their responsibilities.
We must build such a strong social wall against addiction that every citizen has a role to play in it.
Friends,
Devbhoomi Uttarakhand is the land of yoga, spirituality, values, courage and valour. It is the land of soldiers, where generations of young people have considered service to the nation a matter of pride and honour.
The identity of the youth of such a courageous land should not be associated with addiction, but with talent, hard work, discipline and patriotism.
I am confident that the youth of Uttarakhand will lead this campaign and set an exemplary example before the entire nation.
My young friends,
Your life is precious.
You possess limitless possibilities, and the nation has great expectations from you.
Channel your energy not into addiction, but into innovation.
Invest your time not in distractions, but in your goals and in nation-building.
Let today’s pledge not remain confined to words. Let it become a commitment reflected in our conduct.
Let us ourselves stay away from addiction, inspire our friends to do the same, and never abandon a young person who has fallen into its grip.
Drug-free youth, healthy families, an empowered society, a developed Uttarakhand and a developed India—this is our collective resolve and our national goal.
Let us choose life, not addiction.
Let us choose purpose, not distraction.
Let us choose possibilities, not despair.
And let us transform the power of our youth into the power of the nation.
With this conviction and faith, I conclude my address.
Jai Hind!
Jai Uttarakhand!