Varanasi: Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya emphasized the importance of keeping youth free from digital and substance abuse to help India become a developed nation. Speaking at the opening of the two-day ‘Youth Spiritual Summit’ at the Rudraksha Convention Centre, he stated, “To achieve the dream of a developed India by 2047, we must ensure our youth are free from addiction.”
The summit, organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, focused on the theme ‘Drug-Free Youth for a Developed India.’ It brought together over 600 participants from 122 spiritual and socio-cultural groups across the country.
Mandaviya highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for the next 25 years, expressed during the 76th Independence Day speech, pointing out that 65% of India’s population is under 35. He stressed the need for youth to be seen not just as beneficiaries, but as active changemakers for the nation’s future. However, he warned that substance abuse poses a serious threat to this potential.
The minister invited leaders from faith-based and social organizations to help spread awareness about the dangers of addiction. “We need a large-scale movement, encouraging every citizen to inspire at least five others to join the fight against drugs,” he urged.
The summit will conclude on Sunday with the unveiling of the ‘Kashi Declaration.’ This document will reflect the collective vision and commitment of the participants and is intended to serve as a guiding framework for future policies and initiatives aimed at building a drug-free India.
The event included four main sessions focused on understanding addiction, disrupting drug trafficking, creating effective outreach campaigns, and ensuring a long-term commitment to a drug-free India by 2047.
