In a significant push to strengthen the nationwide fight against narcotics, the Governor of Meghalaya, CH Vijayashankar, presided over a crucial high-level meeting at Lok Bhavan in Shillong on Monday. The assembly brought together a powerful coalition of vice-chancellors, college principals, senior police officers, and officials from key departments alongside civil society representatives.
Educational Institutions at the Forefront of the Battle
Governor Vijayashankar placed a strong emphasis on the influential role that universities and colleges play. He described these institutions as pivotal in molding young minds and shaping societal attitudes. The governor urged them to adopt proactive and well-coordinated measures to spread awareness and implement preventive strategies against substance abuse.
Principal Secretary to the Governor, HC Chaudhary, echoed this sentiment, stressing that educational campuses are not merely centers for academic learning but are crucial environments where values and future aspirations are nurtured. The urgent need to protect this space from the drug menace was a unanimous concern.
A Collaborative Framework for a Drug-Free State
The meeting outlined a comprehensive strategy based on collaboration. Governor Vijayashankar called for a united front involving academic bodies, traditional village councils (dorbars), civil society organizations, and government agencies. This multi-stakeholder approach aims to create a protective shield for the youth and wider communities across Meghalaya.
Key participants in the dialogue included leadership from Captain Williamson Sangma State University and North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU). The governor advocated for widespread awareness drives, regular workshops in schools and colleges, and the establishment of vigilant community monitoring mechanisms at every level—from districts down to individual villages and institutions.
Incentivizing Community Participation and National Vision
In a move to galvanize grassroots involvement, Governor Vijayashankar announced an award scheme. Villages that officially declare themselves as 'Nasha Mukt Villages' (Drug-Free Villages) will be recognized and honored during the Republic Day celebrations at Lok Bhawan. This initiative is designed to foster a spirit of healthy competition and community pride in achieving a drug-free status.
The governor reiterated that this meeting was a direct part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visionary campaign to build a healthy and drug-free India. He described drug abuse as a grave social challenge requiring immediate and sustained action.
An official statement released after the meeting confirmed a shared resolve among all parties to work tirelessly towards the vision of a Nasha Mukt Meghalaya and a Nasha Mukt Bharat. This effort is in full alignment with the Government of India's Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, a flagship program launched five years ago by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, which designates higher educational institutions as key nodal points for prevention and early intervention.
