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The Print
4 days ago
- The Print
In Haryana, cops, lawyers & khaps unite to steer youth away from drugs, gangs & ‘donkey routes'
The event saw significant participation from Sarva Khap representatives, professionals, and community members, particularly from Sonipat and Rohtak, who expressed their commitment to saving Haryana's youths by joining the awareness campaign. The initiative was announced during an international seminar titled 'Combating Drug Menace, Donkey Route Migration, and Crime in Haryana: Role of Sarvakhap Panchayats, NGOs, and Professionals', held at the YMCA in New Delhi Saturday. New Delhi: The Haryana Professional Forum, a collective of professionals hailing from Haryana and working within or outside the state, has launched a statewide campaign to tackle the escalating issues of drug addiction, crime, and illegal migration to countries like the US through the 'donkey route'. The Khap panchayats have joined them too. The forum is led by a group of convenors including IPS officer and Delhi Police Special Commissioner Sagar Preet Hooda and Supreme Court lawyer Prateek Som. Speaking to ThePrint Monday, Som said the forum plans to divide the state into clusters, assigning groups of professionals to specific areas to conduct meetings with youths and raise awareness about the dangers of drug addiction, crime, and illegal migration. Som highlighted the interconnected nature of these issues, noting that drug addiction often leads to petty crimes as individuals seek money to fund their habits. 'When one doesn't get their dose of drugs due to a lack of money, they resort to small crimes. Once they land in jail, they become hardened criminals and often join crime gangs,' Som explained. He emphasised the need to educate youths about the health and societal consequences of drug addiction, warning that a failure to address it could lead to early death due to drug-related illnesses or criminal activities. The campaign also seeks to address the issue of illegal migration through the 'donkey route,' a term used to describe the dangerous and illegal journey undertaken by many youths to reach countries like the USA via unauthorised routes. This year alone, 111 youths hailing from Haryana were deported from the US, 'bringing shame to the state known for its rich cultural heritage of Doodh Dahi Ka Khana' (a diet of milk and curd), the forum said. The forum plans to educate young people about the risks involved in such migrations, encouraging them to instead pursue legal pathways by acquiring in-demand skills and passing required exams like International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to migrate legitimately. Som clarified that the campaign is entirely volunteer-based and involves no financial contributions. 'Those who want to contribute will have to give their time,' he said, stressing the importance of community involvement. While government agencies like the police and local administration are doing their part, real change requires awareness among youths, he said. 'Unless the youths are made aware of these issues, such efforts are unlikely to bear fruit.' Som highlighted the alarming statistics surrounding drug addiction in Haryana. A recent report revealed that seven districts bordering Punjab—Sirsa, Fatehabad, Panchkula, Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal and Hisar—along with Yamunanagar account for 86.70 percent of drug cases reported in the state over the last five years. Health department officials admitted that the lack of checks on vehicles crossing these borders is a primary reason for the easy availability of drugs. According to health department data, between 2019 and 2023, 14.80 lakh people visited outpatient departments (OPDs) for drug addiction in Haryana, with 12.90 lakh of them from these eight districts. The campaign also seeks to address the growing issue of illegal migration through the 'donkey route'. Also Read: Now Haryana has a drug problem too. And unique ways of fighting it What happened in the seminar? Addressing the gathering, Sagar Preet Hooda underlined the urgency of the situation. 'The time has come for us to think about our families and society. The positive impact of the Green Revolution is fading, and today's youth are drifting away from agriculture in pursuit of a better lifestyle. We must step in before the situation worsens with drugs, crime, and gangs taking over,' he said. Hooda called for better coordination between Sarva Khap Panchayats, local administration, and professionals to raise awareness about the dangers of drugs, crime, and illegal migration. He urged parents to stay connected with their children, spend quality time with them, and encourage legal pathways for those aspiring to go abroad, such as pursuing higher education through legitimate means. Global Haryana Chamber of Commerce Chairman Balinder Kundu (USA chapter) and Karamjeet Singh Mann (Canada chapter) joined the seminar online, sharing their perspectives on illegal migration. Kundu and Mann highlighted the exploitation by agents who lure youths with false promises, often leading them to sell their land and take massive debts to fund their journeys. 'These youths end up living like labourers, hiding from authorities, with no contact with their families and no legal means to move freely due to the lack of valid visas or passports,' they said. (Edited by Ajeet Tiwari) Also Read: Haryana has no patience for woke narrative on drug abuse and trade. It's a war
Entrepreneur
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Entrepreneur
Folks Motor Unveils 'Folks Funds' to Strengthen EV Manufacturing, Raises INR 100 Cr in First Close
The fund will strategically invest in areas like powertrain systems, energy storage, Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS), and system integration, with a strong focus on achieving a minimum 50% domestic value addition—aligned with the government's 'Make in India' goals. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Folks Motor, a leading Indian player in the hybrid electric retrofit (xEV) space, has launched Folks Funds, an Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) Category II, with an initial corpus of INR 500 crore. With INR 100 crore already secured in its first close, the company expects to achieve full closure by the end of 2025. Touted as India's ESG-focused investment fund dedicated to the EV supply chain, Folks Funds aims to consolidate component demand and drive localisation in the fast-evolving electric mobility sector. The fund will strategically invest in areas like powertrain systems, energy storage, Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS), and system integration, with a strong focus on achieving a minimum 50% domestic value addition—aligned with the government's 'Make in India' goals. A major portion of the fund will be channelled into the development of The Blue IP—India's first xEV-centric warehousing and industrial park in Sonipat, Haryana. This state-of-the-art facility is envisioned as a dedicated ecosystem for EV manufacturing and logistics, designed to support the growing demands of the green mobility sector. "Our vision with Folks Funds is to redefine India's position in the global EV supply chain," said Nikhil Anand Khurana, MD and CEO of Folks Motor. "With the Blue IP and our strategic partnerships, we are not just building infrastructure—we are building future-ready ecosystems for sustainable manufacturing. This fund is a step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat, enabling domestic innovation and job creation while attracting global interest in Indian-made EV components." Folks Motor is also in active discussions with state governments in Telangana and Karnataka to further expand its footprint. These regions have shown leadership in promoting EV infrastructure and adoption. Besides greenfield manufacturing, Folks Funds will support retrofitment technologies—critical to extending vehicle lifespans and reducing fleet costs. "This dual approach supports both green mobility and economic efficiency," Khurana added. Through this initiative, Folks Motor aims to transform the EV value chain, enable strategic consolidation, and position India as a global hub for sustainable and self-reliant automotive solutions. Folks Motor offers hybrid electric retrofit solutions via HyB Cars (certified pre-owned cars with hybrid kits), HyB Kits (for specific car models), and HyB Care (eco-friendly maintenance services), aiming to reduce emissions and enhance mileage with a unique gearless electric mode.
