I view the launch of a documentary and collage exhibition on the ‘Drug-Free Campaign’ by Jammu University as an opportunity to give voice to new ideas and awaken societal awareness against drug abuse, said the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha. Through this, a mirror has been held up to society within your university—one that also reflects the challenges facing the youth of Jammu and Kashmir, as well as a resolve to overcome them. The long-standing adverse impact of drugs in Jammu and Kashmir had become a serious challenge for our society. It had begun to destroy our families, our social fabric, and, above all, the future of our younger generation. There is another side to it, and it is even more dangerous. The drug trade in Jammu and Kashmir is directly linked to narco-terrorism. And drug smuggling has played a major role in nurturing terrorism here. Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi called for a drug-free campaign in 2020. Subsequently, the country’s Home Minister Amit Shah also took very strong action in this matter, and we were witnessing its impact on the ground as well. Meetings of UT and district-level committees and police operations were ongoing, but certain incidents occurred and I met people who had lost their daughters or sons; after consulting with several friends, I devised a 100-day campaign. After discussing the matter with many people, they could not believe that this campaign would garner such public support. And on April 11, the ‘Nasha-mukt Jammu & Kashmir’ (Drug-free Jammu & Kashmir) campaign was launched from this very city of Jammu. In this campaign, an effort was made to takeu it beyond the confines of a formal program and reach villages, neighborhoods, families, schools, colleges, and universities. A goal was set for the drug-free campaign to reach the collective consciousness of society and evolve into a mass movement. Public awareness programs, social campaigns, and administrative actions—all combined—played a major role in connecting people from various sections of society to this campaign, leading to effective action against drug smugglers. A strike was launched against the narco-terror network, and stringent measures were also taken against assets acquired through the drug trade. I am glad that Jammu University has stepped forward in this direction. And today, through this initiative, it is also fulfilling its significant role. Through this initiative, students have gained an understanding of various aspects related to de-addiction under the guidance of faculty members, and I believe that this is the true power of education. Because when knowledge connects with human empathy, it transforms into social responsibility. On this occasion, I would particularly like to urge the students of Jammu University that, with the launch of the documentary and collage exhibition, a major responsibility begins for you. I expect that work on this initiative will be carried out in collaboration with youth organizations, and that this documentary and collage will be screened not only at this university but also at other colleges, so that people may align themselves with the vision of a healthy youth, an empowered society, and a drug-free Jammu and Kashmir, said the Lieutenant Governor.
