Guwahati: Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya on Wednesday chaired a virtual conference with Vice Chancellors of State and Central Universities and heads of higher educational institutions, calling for stronger institutional collaboration to combat drug abuse under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan. The meeting, held from Raj Bhavan, is part of the Governor’s ongoing initiatives to scale up anti-drug awareness and prevention across Assam’s campuses.
Governor Acharya emphasised that educational institutions play a decisive role in safeguarding the health and future of students. He noted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan has grown since 2020 into a nationwide mass movement involving lakhs of students, teachers and community workers.
Highlighting Assam’s vulnerability due to its proximity to international drug-trafficking routes linked to the Golden Triangle, the Governor acknowledged the commendable work of the police, healthcare workers and social organisations. However, he stressed that long-term impact can only be achieved through united action from universities and colleges.
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He urged VCs to ensure drug-free pledges during admissions, establish institutional and departmental anti-drug committees, conduct regular awareness campaigns, strengthen hostel monitoring and provide student counselling through platforms like Tele-MANAS and the National Drug De-addiction Helpline. Acharya also recommended integrating mental health and drug-prevention modules into academic curricula and enhancing collaboration with agencies such as NIMHANS, AIIMS and NISD.
The Governor further appealed to institutions to contribute to the welfare of ex-servicemen and families of martyrs ahead of Armed Forces Flag Day.
DGP Harmeet Singh, Higher Education Secretary Narayan Konwar, NCB Zonal Director Prakash Ranjan Mishra, and senior Raj Bhavan officials also addressed the meeting.
