Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday announced that the Odisha government has taken a firm resolve to make the state completely drug-free, declaring that the newly launched ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva – Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan’ will run as a comprehensive social movement for the next 100 weeks.
“This campaign is not a one-day event, but a continuous mass movement that will continue for two years,” the Chief Minister said while addressing youth at Kalinga Stadium.The national program was addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and organized by ‘MY Bharat’ under the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
It was watched virtually at Kalinga Stadium by Governor Dr. Haribabu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Suryavansi Suraj along with hundreds of students. Governor Dr. Kambhampati administered the oath of ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva – Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan’ to all those present.
Describing youth as the main pillar of nation building, Governor Dr. Kambhampati gave a clarion call to build a drug-free society and urged young people to choose sports, fitness, yoga, education and social service as alternatives to addiction. He said that as Odisha has emerged as a major sports hub, youth should showcase their talent in sports halls and classrooms instead of falling into addiction. The Governor emphasized that a drug-free society is possible only as a people’s movement with parents, teachers, social institutions and youth acting as messengers.
In his address, Chief Minister Majhi said drug addiction is not just a health issue but also weakens mental and physical capabilities, breaks the financial backbone of families and obstructs the state’s social and economic development. He praised the Prime Minister’s vision and said the ‘Gen Z’ generation and youth power are key to building a developed India by 2047.
Highlighting the government’s ‘Zero Tolerance’ policy against the illegal drug trade, the Chief Minister informed that between July 2024 and June 2026, Odisha Police destroyed 63,720 acres of illegal ganja cultivation worth about Rs 1,911 crore. During the same period, 2,576 cases were registered, 3,699 accused were arrested and 432 tonnes of ganja worth Rs 2,106 crore were seized. He added that treatment and rehabilitation centers are also being strengthened for drug addicts and appealed to the public to inform police about any suspicious drug dealing.
Expressing concern over youth getting attracted to deadly drugs like brown sugar, cocaine and synthetic and injecting drugs, the Chief Minister said the government is working on a war footing. He cited recent seizures of synthetic drugs in Bhubaneswar and strong action against the drug mafia in Balasore.
Issuing a stern warning to drug traffickers, he said those who continue to poison the youth should be ready for strict legal action, including bulldozer action. Urging all youth to take the pledge of ‘Say No to Drugs’, he said life is precious and must be kept away from this menace.
Higher Education, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Suryavansi Suraj said students of schools, colleges, MY Bharat Youth Clubs, NSS and sports hostels will be the main protagonists of this movement. The Chief Minister called upon educational institutions, youth organizations, NSS, MY Bharat volunteers, industries and the media to unite under the slogan “No to drugs and yes to life and progress”.
It is worth noting that in the virtual presence of the Prime Minister, more than 1 crore youth gathered at over 10,000 locations across the country to take the pledge for a healthy and drug-free India. In Odisha, the campaign received an unprecedented response with live-streaming at 453 designated centers and participation of more than 1.6 lakh viewers and youth.
