Neither take drugs nor let anyone take them : 650 MBBS students pledge for a Drugs Free India

Hyderabad: In a move towards tackling the drug menace in the country, ‘Campaign for Drugs Free India’, organized by the Art of Living Foundation recently paid visits to two medical colleges in the state wherein around 650 MBBS students took a pledge to neither to take drugs nor let anyone take them.

Around 500 MBBS students of Andhra Medical College (AMC) and 150 MBBS students from Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS) associated Sri Padmavathi Medical College for Women; took the pledge.

This was part of the Drug-Free India campaign that was conducted in all educational institutes throughout India, including in the city, and has been initiated by spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, through his organisation Art of Living.

The main objective of the campaign was to ensure that students and educational institutes in India are free from drugs, smoking and alcohol.

Supporting the initiative of Art of Living, SVIMS faculty, staff and students attended the live webcast of the programme and took pledge to eradicate drug abuse in the country, reports the local daily, The Hans India.

The chief guest at AMC was Principal PV Sudhakar, who was joined by the Art of Living Apex Radha Krishna and facilitated by their youth coordinator, Ashwin Patel. The Art of Living’s founder, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar also spoke about conducting a walkathon on March 10, 2019, for generating more awareness throughout the country, reports TOI.

The Hindu adds that the students of the Sri Padmavathi Medical College for Women were told drug abuse was rampant among 80% youth in Haryana and 75% youth in Punjab.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 30% of Indians consume alcohol regularly. Medical College Principal M. Hanumantha Rao, anatomy head S.Subhadra Devi and associate dean (students affairs) Umamaheswara Rao were present.

Appreciating the initiative, the honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, addressed the ‘Campaign for Drugs Free India’, organized by the Art of Living Foundation, through a video message. The Prime Minister said that it is alarming to see many youngsters getting addicted to substance abuse. “Drugs are not cool. It is a big misconception that drugs are a style statement”, PM said.

The Prime Minister urged the young generation to say ‘No to Drugs’ for a healthy life, a happy family, a better future and for the safety and security of the nation.