Varanasi: Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Saturday said India can become a developed nation only when the youth remain free from both digital and substance abuse. “We need to make our youth addiction-free to realise the dream of a developed India by 2047. Leaders of religious and social organisations must join the drug-free India campaign to keep our youth away from drugs, mobile phones and reels,” Mandaviya said while addressing the inaugural session of the two-day ‘Youth Spiritual Summit’ at the Rudraksha Convention Centre on Saturday. The summit was launched by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports with the theme ‘Drug-Free Youth for a Developed India’. It brought together more than 600 participants representing 122 spiritual and socio-cultural organisations from all over the country. Mandaviya said on 15 Aug, 2022, during India’s 76th Independence Day address from the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared his vision for the next 25 years through the ‘Panch Pran’ of Amrit Kaal. The minister emphasised that youth would play a vital role in transforming India into a developed nation by 2047, as 65% of the population is under the age of 35. “Our young generation must not only be seen as beneficiaries but also as changemakers who shape the future of the nation. However, substance abuse is one of the biggest threats facing youth today. Addiction is trapping them at a crucial point in life and posing a serious challenge to national progress,” he said.The minister urged religious and social leaders to use their platforms to spread awareness among youth about staying away from addiction. “A single camp or limited efforts are not enough—we need a mass movement where every citizen pledges to inspire at least five others to join the anti-drug campaign,” he said.The summit will conclude on Sunday with the release of the ‘Kashi Declaration,’ a document reflecting the collective vision and commitment of youth and spiritual leaders. This document will offer a detailed action plan for building a drug-free India and act as a guiding charter for policymakers, civil society organisations and youth networks working in the fields of de-addiction and rehabilitation.The summit features four thematic sessions focused on key areas: understanding addiction and its impact on youth; breaking drug trafficking networks and commercial interests; designing effective campaigns and outreach strategies; and building a long-term commitment toward a drug-free India by 2047.
