Ganderbal, May 08: As part of the ongoing Nasha Mukt Abhiyan (NMBA @100), the District Administration Ganderbal today organised a series of awareness drives, rallies and competitions across different areas of the district to spread awareness about the harmful effects of drug abuse and promote a healthy, drug-free society.
At Preng Kangan, an awareness rally under the Nasha Mukt J&K programme witnessed active participation from various departments, civil society members and students. The rally covered nearly 600 households and reached around 3000 people with messages highlighting the dangers of substance abuse and the importance of collective social responsibility.
Another awareness rally was organised at Manigam in Tehsil Lar, where students, teachers, civil society members and officials from different departments participated enthusiastically. Carrying placards and banners with anti-drug slogans, participants marched through the main market of Manigam to educate the public about the adverse effects of drug addiction.
Speakers on the occasion stressed the importance of community participation in making Tehsil Lar and District Ganderbal free from substance abuse. They highlighted the role of parents, teachers, educational institutions, religious leaders and civil society in guiding youth away from drugs.
Meanwhile, zonal-level inter-school competitions under NMBA @100 were organised at Government Boys Higher Secondary School Hariganwan Kangan in collaboration with the Education Department and Mission Shakti through Sankalp Hub for Empowerment of Women Ganderbal.
The competitions included painting, essay writing and singing events based on the theme of a drug-free society. Students from 29 schools across Zone Hariganwan participated enthusiastically and showcased their creativity through artistic, literary and cultural expressions.
In another initiative, the Excise Department Ganderbal conducted an awareness-cum-survey programme at Village Shalabugh in Tehsil Tulmulla. During the programme, the team coordinated with the local mosque Imam, who highlighted the harmful effects of drug abuse during Friday prayers and urged the community to collectively work towards a drug-free society.
The District Administration appreciated the active participation of students, officials and local residents and reiterated the need for sustained awareness campaigns and collective efforts to eradicate drug abuse from society.
