The Youth Spiritual Summit themed “Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat” concluded at the Rudraksh International Convention Centre in Varanasi with the formal adoption of the Kashi Declaration, a comprehensive five-year roadmap for a youth-led movement against substance abuse. Organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the summit witnessed the participation of over 600 youth leaders and representatives from more than 120 spiritual and socio-cultural organizations, alongside academicians and domain experts. Addressing the gathering, Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla emphasized the spiritual significance of Kashi, calling it the land of Sanatan Chetna and a fitting ground to begin a national transformation. He warned against the growing menace of drug addiction among India’s youth and underlined that only a drug-free generation can truly build the nation’s future. He also highlighted the “Nasha Mukt Himachal Abhiyan”, a de-addiction campaign launched by Raj Bhavan that actively involves Panchayati Raj institutions, Mahila and Yuvak Mandals, educational institutions, and civil society in Himachal Pradesh. Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya described the Kashi Declaration as a shared Sankalp (commitment) emerging from three days of intense dialogue. The declaration calls for a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to tackle addiction as a public health and social issue. It advocates for spiritual, cultural, educational, and technological interventions, alongside structural mechanisms such as a Joint National Committee, annual progress reviews, and a digital platform to link individuals with support services. Key dignitaries, including Nitin Agarwal, Dr. Virendra Kumar, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Nityanand Rai, Anil Rajbhar, Raksha Nikhil Khadse, and Girish Chandra Yadav also participated, offering insights on policy and grassroots challenges. Raksha Khadse specifically flagged the misuse of digital platforms targeting children and reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance policy on drug abuse, reaffirming the central leadership’s commitment to protecting the nation’s youth.
