Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept. 8: Around 200 young people from educational institutions across Sri Vijaya Puram participated in the district-level “Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat” programme on September 7, using music, dance, theatre, painting, poetry and other creative formats to promote awareness against substance abuse and the importance of a healthy, responsible youth population.
MY Bharat, Sri Vijaya Puram organised the programme at the Auditorium and Seminar Hall of Tagore Government College of Education (TGCE), with eight district-level competitions forming the central part of the initiative. Participants competed in Folk Music, Dance, Nukkad Natak/Mime Acts, Painting, Elocution, Short Film/Reel, Slogan Writing and Slam Poetry.
The event also included a sensitisation session on substance abuse. Naresh Chander Lal, Padma Shri awardee and Swachh Bharat Ambassador, called for greater awareness among young people and urged them to channel their abilities towards constructive activities, social responsibility and nation-building.
Devdas Paik, Manager, ISRO, spoke about the physical, psychological and social consequences of substance abuse and encouraged participants to pursue their goals and adopt healthy habits. Historian of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Mukeshwar Lal stressed positive social and cultural values and urged youth to remain connected with their roots.
TGCE Principal Manjulatha Rao, who attended as Guest of Honour, appreciated the platform provided for youth creativity and awareness. Senior Veterinary Officer Dr. Subash Palve and Rao also encouraged participants to contribute to a healthy and drug-free society.
The competitions produced winners across the eight categories. Aprian and Team from ANCOL won Folk Music, while Jhanavi Trivedi and Team from VKV topped Dance. Sushma and Team from TGCE won Nukkad Natak/Mime Acts, and Jeevetha S. from ANCOL secured first place in Painting. Santoshi Kumari from TGCE won Elocution, Md. Tanzeem and Team from TGCE topped Short Film/Reel, Priti Saha from TGCE won Slogan Writing, and Nupur Nowlader from TGCE secured first place in Slam Poetry.
Jury panels comprising professionals from art, culture, literature, theatre, music, media and social service evaluated the entries. The winners received trophies and certificates.
District Youth Officer Deepak Kumar delivered the welcome address, while Gopal Ch. Biswas, APS (OSD), gave the introductory address and coordinated the programme. TGCE faculty Dr. Sunil Saini and Dr. Sunita Patil supported the event, with Mehek and Sneha anchoring it. Sunita Patil proposed the vote of thanks.
The programme concluded with the message, “Say No to Drugs, Say Yes to Life – Nasha Mukt Yuva, Viksit Bharat.”
