JULY 19: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has inaugurated the ‘Yuva Spiritual Summit’ at the Rudraksh Convention Centre in Varanasi with the theme “Drug-Free Youth for a Developed India.” The event has drawn participation from over 600 young delegates representing 122 spiritual and socio-cultural organizations across the country.
Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, who heads both the Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment ministries, delivered a compelling address at the opening ceremony. Citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Panch Pran’ vision announced on 15th August 2022, he emphasized the need for a sustained youth-led movement to shape India into a developed nation by 2047.
Dr. Mandaviya highlighted a critical challenge: addiction, in various forms—from drugs to excessive mobile and reel consumption. He urged youth to free themselves from these dependencies, which he said are derailing India’s demographic advantage. “Our youth must not only be beneficiaries of development but also its torchbearers,” he said.
He called for a massive nationwide anti-drug campaign, urging religious and social leaders to step up and use their influence to raise awareness. “One camp or one program is not enough,” he stated. “Every citizen must inspire at least five others to commit to a drug-free life.”
The two-day summit, scheduled to conclude on July 20, includes four focused thematic sessions:
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Understanding youth addiction and its consequences
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Combating drug networks and commercial interests
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Designing impactful outreach and awareness campaigns
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Sustaining long-term commitment to a drug-free India
These discussions involve expert talks, interactive panels, and collaborative whiteboard sessions, ensuring meaningful participation and knowledge sharing.
A key outcome of the summit will be the release of the ‘Kashi Declaration’, a visionary document that will outline an action plan for de-addiction and national development. It will serve as a guiding charter for policymakers, civil society, and youth organizations in the coming years.
This summit marks a powerful intersection of spiritual strength, youth energy, and national purpose, aimed at building a stronger, addiction-free India by 2047.
