Gorakhpur: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday raised concerns over the growing menace of smartphone and drug addiction among youngsters, warning that both were harming the younger generation and diverting them from productive pursuits. He urged youth to devote more time to sports and physical activities, saying a healthy body and mind were essential for nation-building.Highlighting his government’s focus on youth welfare, Yogi also announced that the state would soon unveil a comprehensive Youth Policy.Addressing the prize distribution ceremony of a state-level senior men’s wrestling championship organised at Gorakhnath Temple on the occasion of Nag Panchami, Yogi said: “Two types of addiction are currently playing havoc with the lives of the young generation. One is addiction to drugs. We all must be prepared to take on the drug mafia,” he said.The CM said smartphone addiction was another growing concern. “Ninety per cent of the time spent on smartphones is useless. If young people save five to six hours from mobile usage and devote even one hour to physical fitness, they can remain healthy and energetic,” he said.Highlighting the state government’s focus on youth welfare, Yogi announced that Uttar Pradesh would soon unveil a comprehensive Youth Policy aimed at expanding opportunities for young people in education, employment, skill development and sports. He said the policy would include a range of programmes and activities designed to empower youth and prepare them for future challenges.“The government will soon bring a new Youth Policy under which several programmes and initiatives will be organised for the younger generation,” he said.The CM also announced the expansion of the state government’s flagship Mukhyamantri Abhyudaya Yojana, a free coaching initiative for competitive examinations. He said the programme would now be taken to colleges and universities across the state through both physical and virtual platforms.“We are going to take Abhyudaya to every college and university. Every youth will be able to connect with it and find a platform,” he said.The CM also launched a strong attack on what he termed the “mafia culture” in education, examinations, sports and drug networks. He warned those exploiting young people through unfair means that the government would continue taking strict action against them.“Be it the exam mafia, education mafia, sports mafia or drug mafia, their ill-intentions are the biggest enemy of youth power,” he said, adding that individuals involved in cheating, exploitation or illegal activities would face stringent action, including confiscation of property.Yogi said previous governments had failed to prioritise youth welfare and sports development, whereas the current government was building a robust sports ecosystem with stadiums, mini-stadiums, sports colleges and centres of excellence across the state.Highlighting incentives for athletes, he said UP’s sports policy provides direct government jobs to medal-winning sportspersons. More than 500 athletes have already been recruited, and another 500 medal winners will be given jobs in the police and other departments within the next month, he announced.The CM also urged sportspersons to begin preparations for the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad. Reiterating the government’s commitment to rewarding sporting excellence, he said Olympic gold medallists receive Rs 6 crore, silver medallists Rs 4 crore and bronze medallists Rs 2 crore, while participants in the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games are also provided financial assistance.At the wrestling championship, Gautam Buddh Nagar’s Aakash won the Uttar Pradesh Kesari title, while Varanasi’s Saurabh and Ghazipur’s Suraj Yadav secured the Uttar Pradesh Kumar and Veer Abhimanyu titles respectively. The winners were awarded Rs 1.01 lakh and a mace each.
