Nation's first 'Drug-Free Home' drive launched by MDU Rohtak on Panchayati Raj Day
On National Panchayati Raj Day, Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU), Rohtak initiated a big campaign against drug addiction, initiating the nation's first 'Drug-Free Home' scheme in Madodi Rangdan village in Rohtak district on Thursday.The drive, launched by MDU Vice-Chancellor Professor Rajbir Singh, started with India's first-ever Gram Sabha on the sole idea of making drug-free homes. He described the initiative as 'need of the hour' and stated that drugs ruin mental as well as physical health and disrupt families and societies.advertisementProfessor Singh also declared that college students affiliated to MDU would now become 'Gram Saarthis; - volunteers who would go door to door, converse with people, and educate them about the ill effects of drugs.
Social worker and MDU outreach representative Professor Sunil Jaglan presided over the event and motivated villagers by relating success stories from other villages.Professor Anju Dhiman, who is in charge of the university's outreach work, assisted in the organisation of the programme.Throughout the event, MDU volunteers also conducted a mock Gram Sabha to demonstrate how villages can hold similar meetings. Students Prince Kumar and Yanshi Desai were central to the demonstration.According to a new survey by MDU, only 22 out of 450 houses in Madodi Rangdan are free from drugs at the moment. With a total population of about 2,800, the campaign hopes to make a tangible difference to this village - and, ultimately, to the whole nation.
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