By onlinenews24seven 
NEW DELHI — Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday virtually launched the nationwide ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan’ (Drug-Free Youth for Developed India Pledge Campaign), declaring that a healthy, substance-free youth population is the essential foundation for India to achieve its goal of becoming a developed nation (Viksit Bharat) by 2047.
Addressing over one crore young citizens participating virtually across more than 28,000 locations nationwide, the Prime Minister emphasized the crucial link between physical and mental fitness and national progress.
“Drugs can give you a high for a short time, but they bring your entire career and personal life to a permanent low,” Prime Minister Modi warned during his address. “Over the next 20 to 25 years, the youth will shape their own lives, and by 2047, it is you who will lead India to the goal of becoming a developed country. That is why it is essential that you remain free from addiction.”
Key Highlights of the Initiative
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A 100-Week Nationwide Movement: Unlike conventional single-day programs, the initiative is structured as a sustained 100-week Jan Bhagidari (public participation) movement. Every Sunday for the next 100 weeks, local communities across India will host walkathons, sports competitions, street plays (Nukkad Nataks), meditation sessions, and art activities to keep youth positively engaged.
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Massive Youth Engagement: Spearheaded by the MY Bharat platform under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the launch brought together over 125 spiritual organizations, NSS volunteers, youth clubs, schools, universities, and industrial associations.
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National Security Warning: Highlighting the geopolitical threat of narcotics, PM Modi warned that hostile powers and transnational terror syndicates use drug trafficking to weaken the nation by targeting its young population.
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Destigmatizing Addiction: The Prime Minister urged families and society not to hide cases of substance abuse due to social stigma, but rather to seek timely medical and psychological help. Calling those who recover “true warriors,” he urged society to embrace them with dignity and offer second chances.
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Stringent Crackdown on Trafficking: Reaffirming the government’s zero-tolerance policy against drug cartels, PM Modi highlighted that law enforcement agencies have significantly increased arrest rates and seized illicit narcotics worth thousands of crores in recent years.
Looking Ahead to 2047
The campaign urges young Indians—who are currently driving innovation in Artificial Intelligence, startups, space exploration, and international sports—to take the Nasha Mukti Pledge and act as ambassadors of positive change.
Outstanding contributions by volunteers, non-governmental organizations, and educational institutions will be recognized and awarded at key milestones at the 50th, 75th, and 100th weeks of the campaign.