Graphic Era Sets a New Record for Drug-Free Awareness
Sensible Decisions Are Essential for the Future – Dr. Ashish
Graphic Era Sets a New Record for Drug-Free Awareness
Sensible Decisions Are Essential for the Future – Dr. Ashish
Dehradun, October 14: A total of 12,832 students at Graphic Era took a pledge to build a drug-free future and stay away from substance abuse, spreading the message of a healthy society. By taking the anti-drug pledge together, 12,832 young people established a new record of its kind in Asia. District Magistrate Dr. Ashish Chauhan administered the pledge to the students. He said that wrong decisions made under the influence of drugs can have serious consequences for a person’s future and life.
The pledge was taken on the grounds of Graphic Era Deemed University, which was packed with students. To raise awareness about staying away from substance abuse and administer the pledge, a two-part programme was organised at Graphic Era. The first part was a conference on drug de-addiction at the K. P. Nautiyal Auditorium of Graphic Era Hill University, followed by the second part, in which the District Magistrate administered the pledge to the students on the grounds of Graphic Era Deemed University.
Addressing the conference as the Chief Guest, District Magistrate Dr. Ashish Chauhan said that momentary excitement and dopamine play a role in addiction, but individuals have to bear the long-term consequences of decisions made under its influence. He said that while living beings struggle for survival in nature, human society has developed values such as compassion, altruism and helping those in need. Dr. Ashish emphasised that understanding the truth requires a logical examination of different aspects of any subject.
Additional District Magistrate Ms. Smriti Parmar said that preventing substance abuse requires coordination among various departments, effective enforcement of the law, awareness, medical care and rehabilitation. She said that the Uttarakhand government is focusing on education, awareness, law enforcement, monitoring, treatment and rehabilitation through various state- and district-level committees to prevent substance abuse. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Manoj Sharma also addressed the gathering.
Vice-Chancellor Dr. Tabassum Naqvi said that people struggling with substance abuse should be offered proper guidance and support rather than criticism. Sajag India founder Lalit Joshi and Thrive Minds founder and neuropsychiatrist Dr. Ankita Priyadarshini also addressed the gathering.
Under the Aahvaan programme, important messages about the harmful effects of substance abuse and mental health were effectively presented through street plays, skits and film screenings. These activities encouraged students to stay away from drugs, become more sensitive towards mental health and seek help without hesitation whenever needed. In the debate competition, Shubhashikha secured first place, Aditi Kandpal won second place, and Harshita secured third place. The short film The Last Page, made by students of the Department of Mass Communication, was also awarded in the short film-making competition.
The programme was jointly organised by Graphic Era Deemed University, Graphic Era Hill University, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Young Indians. The event was attended by Graphic Era Deemed University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Narpinder Singh, Registrar Dr. Naresh Kumar Sharma, Graphic Era Hill University Registrar Dr. Jyoti Chhabra, Circle Officer of Sadar Circle, Dehradun, Mr. Ankit Khandari, District Social Welfare Officer Mr. Deepankar Ghildiyal, official adjudicator of Asia Book of Records Mr. Sanjay Bhola, and faculty members.
District Magistrate Dr. Ashish Chauhan presented the provisional certificate for establishing the record to Graphic Era Deemed University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Narpinder Singh and Graphic Era Hill University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Tabassum Naqvi. The programme was hosted by Dr. Himani Binjola.
