Hoshiarpur: A special meeting of the Bharat Vikas Parishad was held under the chairmanship of its President and prominent social worker, Sanjeev Arora. During the meeting, deep concern was expressed regarding the rising prevalence of tobacco and other intoxicants, and strong emphasis was placed on conducting awareness campaigns to make society drug-free. Addressing the gathering, President Sanjeev Arora stated that tobacco consumption not only severely impacts an individual's health but also casts a negative shadow on their family and society; in today's times, protecting the youth from the clutches of addiction is society's greatest responsibility. Mr. Arora noted that tobacco consumption leads to various serious ailments, including cancer, heart disease, and respiratory disorders; therefore, every individual must be made aware of its adverse effects.
He appealed to the members of the Parishad to spread public awareness within their respective localities and inspire people to stay away from intoxicants. He emphasized that, particularly on World No Tobacco Day, everyone should take a solemn pledge to abstain from intoxicants themselves and to continue educating society about their harmful consequences, for it is the healthy youth who constitute the nation's bright future. During the meeting, the members of the Parishad resolved to intensify the public awareness campaign against tobacco and addiction, while also stressing the importance of engaging the youth in sports, education, and social activities.
Speaking on the occasion, Ravi Manocha and Tinku Narula pointed out that every year, hundreds of thousands of people fall victim to serious diseases caused by tobacco consumption. They asserted that every section of society must come forward collectively to save the youth from this pernicious habit, adding that the creation of a drug-free society cannot be achieved solely through government efforts. To realize this goal, social organizations, parents, and educational institutions must join hands to conduct continuous awareness campaigns.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the members of the Parishad took a pledge to disseminate the message of a drug-free society. They announced that, in the near future, the Parishad would visit various schools and colleges to inspire and raise awareness among the youth regarding the dangers of addiction. H.K. Nakra, Ajay Chawla, and Rajiv Manchanda were also present on this occasion.