Varanasi,

19 July (HS): Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports and Labor and

Employment Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya said on Saturday that India can become a

developed nation only when the young generation is free from addiction to

drugs, mobile and reel. He said that keeping the youth away from drug habits is

not only the responsibility of the government but of the entire society.

Leaders of religious and social fields should be a part of the anti-drug

campaign. Dr. Mandaviya was addressing the inaugural session of the two-day

'Youth Spiritual Summit' organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth

Affairs and Sports and My Bharat Manch at Rudraksh Convention Center in Sigra,

Varanasi. The main theme of the conference was - 'Drug-free youth for developed

India'. More than 600 youth representatives from 122 spiritual and

socio-cultural organizations from across the country are participating in the

conference. The Union Minister said that drug addiction is emerging as a

serious threat to the youth. It not only blocks their future but also the

progress of the country. We should not be satisfied with only a few camps or

limited campaigns, but have to create a mass movement for it. Every

citizen should pledge to motivate at least five others to join the anti-drug

campaign. Dr Mandaviya, citing the Panch Pran of 'Amrit Kaal' given by Prime

Minister Narendra Modi from the Red Fort on 15 August 2022, said that the role

of youth will be decisive in making India a developed nation by 2047. 65% of

the country's population is below 35 years of age, and this demographic

advantage can be made useful only if the youth remains physically and mentally

healthy. He said that the youth should not be seen as mere beneficiaries but as

transformers of nation building. Apart from Union Minister of Labor

and Employment and Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union

Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of

Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar, Union Minister of State for

Home Nityanand Rai, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports

Defense Nikhil Khadse, Uttar Pradesh Sports Minister Girish Yadav, State Social

Welfare Minister Asim Arun and State Minister of State for Excise and

Prohibition (Independent Charge) Nitin Agarwal are also participating in the

conference. The two-day summit will conclude on Sunday with the release of the

Kashi Manifesto.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi