Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept. 7: MY Bharat, Sri Vijaya Puram successfully organised the District Level “Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat” programme at the Auditorium and Seminar Hall, Tagore Government College of Education (TGCE), Sri Vijaya Puram, on 7th September 2026. Around 200 youth from various educational institutions enthusiastically participated in different District Level competitions and creative activities organised under the programme.
The programme commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by the Chief Guest, Guests of Honour, Special Guests and other dignitaries, symbolising the collective commitment towards building a healthy, aware and drug-free youth force for a developed India.
The Chief Guest, Shri Naresh Chander Lal, Padma Shri Awardee and Swachh Bharat Ambassador, in his address, appreciated the initiative and stressed upon the importance of keeping young people away from substance abuse. He highlighted that youth are the strength of the nation and urged them to channel their energy, talent and potential towards positive activities, social responsibility and nation-building. He further emphasised that a healthy, disciplined and responsible youth population is essential for realising the vision of Viksit Bharat.
Shri Manjulatha Rao, Principal, TGCE, graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour and appreciated MY Bharat for providing a meaningful platform to young people to express their creativity and talent while spreading awareness against drug abuse.
Dr. Subash Palve, Senior Veterinary Officer, Department of Animal Husbandry, and Dr. Manjulata Rao, Principal, TGCE, were present as Special Guests and encouraged the participating youth to become ambassadors of positive change and contribute towards building a healthy and drug-free society.
Shri Devdas Paik, Manager, ISRO, also addressed the gathering and spoke about the harmful physical, psychological and social consequences of substance abuse. He encouraged the youth to remain focused on their goals, adopt healthy habits and utilise their knowledge and potential for constructive purposes.
Shri Mukeshwar Lal, Historian of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the importance of preserving positive social and cultural values among young people. He encouraged the youth to remain connected with their roots, adopt constructive habits and play an active role in creating a responsible and progressive society.
The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation in eight District Level competitions, namely Folk Music, Dance, Nukkad Natak/Mime Acts, Painting, Elocution, Short Film/Reel, Slogan Writing and Slam Poetry. Through these creative mediums, the young participants effectively conveyed the message of a Drug-Free Youth for a Developed India.
In the Folk Music Competition, Aprian and Team from ANCOL secured the First Position, followed by Jessica and Team in the Second Position, while Dharzani and Team from TGCE secured the Third Position.
In the Dance Competition, Jhanavi Trivedi and Team from VKV secured the First Position, while Anish and Team from TGCE secured the Second Position.
In the Nukkad Natak/Mime Acts Competition, Sushma and Team from TGCE secured the First Position, followed by D. Lekha and Team in the Second Position and Pooja and Team in the Third Position.
In the Painting Competition, Jeevetha S. from ANCOL secured the First Position, while Kavya Raj secured the Second Position and Rikta Biswas from TGCE secured the Third Position.
In the Elocution Competition, Santoshi Kumari from TGCE secured the First Position, followed by Uday in the Second Position and P. Elakeeya in the Third Position.
In the Short Film/Reel Competition, Md. Tanzeem and Team from TGCE secured the First Position, while Sudweep Biswas and Team secured the Second Position.
In the Slogan Writing Competition, Priti Saha from TGCE secured the First Position, followed by D. Lekha in the Second Position and Shrite Mondal in the Third Position.
In the Slam Poetry Competition, Nupur Nowlader from TGCE secured the First Position, while Abhinaya from JNRM secured the Second Position and V. Mohita secured the Third Position.
The competitions were evaluated by eminent Jury Members from diverse fields of art, culture, literature, theatre, music, media and social service.
For Painting, the Jury comprised Shri Ashok Kumar Mistry, Commercial Artist; Smt. Sampa Banerjee, Artist and Social Activist; and Smt. Nagar Laxmi, Professional Artist.
For Dance, the Jury Members were Smt. Sujata, Dance Teacher; Shri Bala Krishna, Dance Teacher; and Smt. V. P. Bhwanes, Dance Teacher.
For Nukkad Natak/Mime Acts, the Jury comprised Shri Ravinder Rao, Guruji, Art of Living; Shri Rajesh, Theatre Artist; and Shri Mukeshwar Lal, Theatre Artist.
For Slam Poetry, the Jury Members were Smt. Hema Paik, Literature; Smt. Renu Bala, Literature; and Smt. Pooja Paswan, Office of External Affairs.
For Short Film & Reel, the Jury comprised Shri Janak, Videographer & Photographer; Shri Suresh Kumar, Cut and Creator; and Shri M. Laxman, Photographer.
For Elocution, the Jury Members were Smt. Shabnam Singh, Office of External Affairs; Dr. Manju Nair, Associate Professor, English Literature; and Smt. Sashmita Naik, Social Activist.
For Slogan Writing, the Jury comprised Shri Mukeshwar Lal, Historian & Art Collector; Smt. Vimla Devi, Social Worker; and Shri J. N. Raja, Artist.
For Folk Music, the Jury Members were Shri Rakesh Chander Lal, Artist and Media Person; Shri Gautam Dhali, Musician; and Smt. Swapna Roy, Senior Diploma in Music.
The Jury Members appreciated the creativity, talent and enthusiasm displayed by the participants and shared their observations on the importance of using creative expressions as an effective medium for spreading awareness against substance abuse. Dr. Manju Nair, Associate Professor, while sharing her observations, appreciated the efforts of the young participants and emphasised the importance of literature, art and creative expression in promoting positive social messages.
Earlier, Shri Deepak Kumar, District Youth Officer, MY Bharat, Sri Vijaya Puram, delivered the welcome address and warmly welcomed the Chief Guest, Guest of Honour, Special Guests, Jury Members, participants and other dignitaries. In his brief address, he highlighted the importance of collective efforts in creating awareness among youth against substance abuse and encouraged young people to actively participate in such initiatives for building a healthy, responsible and Nasha Mukt Bharat.
Shri Gopal Ch. Biswas, APS (OSD) delivered the introductory address and briefed the gathering about the objectives and significance of the “Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat” programme. He highlighted the important role of youth in nation-building and emphasised that a healthy, responsible and drug-free youth population is fundamental to achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat. He also coordinated the overall programme.
The programme was supported by Dr. Sunil Saini, Assistant Professor, TGCE, and Dr. Sunita Patil, Guest Lecturer, TGCE. The programme was ably anchored by Miss Mehek and Miss Sneha of TGCE, who conducted the proceedings with enthusiasm and confidence. The Vote of Thanks was proposed by Dr. Sunita Patil.
All the winners of the various District Level competitions were felicitated with Trophies and Certificates by the Chief Guest and other dignitaries present on the occasion, amidst applause from the participants and audience.
The programme concluded with a collective resolve to spread the message:
“Say No to Drugs, Say Yes to Life – Nasha Mukt Yuva, Viksit Bharat.”
The event served as an effective platform for young people to demonstrate their talent, creativity and social commitment while reinforcing the collective responsibility of society towards building a drug-free, healthy and empowered generation for Viksit Bharat.