A large number of students from different schools in Dehradun participated enthusiastically in the event ‘Walk with The Pioneer’ at Reserve Police lines here on Sunday. The event was held to raise awareness on substance abuse among youngsters. After flagging off the children, the chief guest Director General (law and order) Ashok Kumar, his wife and director of Women Institute of Technology (WIT) Alaknanda Ashok, guest of honour, director of Panchayati Raj department, Harish Chandra Semwal and other invited guests also participated in the walk.
Addressing the gathering DG Ashok Kumar said, “The event organised by The Pioneer is for a noble cause and aligned with our motive to eradicate drug abuse.
Initially, children sometimes take drugs out of curiosity and peer-pressure. That first puff you smoke in order to become part of the cool gang ends up with you becoming addicted to substance abuse. We have seen so many cases in which people from well to-do families start stealing from their household first and then at other places to buy drugs. Not only boys, but there is increasing number of girls also who can be seen selling drugs too. In one such case we encountered at Canal Road drug addiction pushed a group of girls into becoming call girls.”
He further added, “Beside drug abuse, traffic and sanitation are also major issues. There is a basic difference between developed nations and India, which is their attitude towards discipline. In western countries you will see the roads there are clean and people are driving in a disciplined manner.
Here, we first criticise the system. Rather than following the rules we start asking the authority of the constable who is penalising us for violating rules. That constable is a representative of the law and if you abide by the rules you do not have to pay any penalty or challan.”
He added, “We have also started a campaign against child begging for which we are raising awareness among the people to encourage education not begging. By giving some money to a child beggar you are not helping or sympathising with them, but encouraging their parents to let them continue begging. During our campaign in Dehradun, we realised that it was the parents of these children who were difficult to rehabilitate.”
Guest of honour, HC Semwal said, “The young ambassadors of the cause- these children are medium for the world to know that drug abuse eradication is the need of the hour. The children, especially the youth need to not only raise awareness among their peer group but should also support the administration towards achieving this goal. I wish and hope that the initiative taken by The Pioneer will be effective in meeting its aim.
General manager of Human Resource at Bridge Ropeway, Tunnel and other Infrastructure Development Corporation of Uttarakhand Limited (BRIDCUL), Anup Kumar said, “One of the biggest problems for our people today is that we are aping western culture and forgetting about the core values and teachings of our culture. For young students it is also important to choose a role model in life and invest their energy into positive things.”
The state president of Public Relations Society of India (PRSI), Vimal Dabral said, “It is necessary for the parents and teachers to also keep an eye on the acitivities of their wards. The adults need to look for any abnormalities with the day to day activity of their child.”
President of Higher Education Welfare Association, Lalit Joshi said, “There are many reasons behind why people especially youngsters start taking drugs. It can be curiosity, passion or frustration, but it is my request to all the children that do not let stress in life convert into drug addiction.”
Deputy general manager of New India Assurance, Ruchir Pant said, “As other esteemed guests have said, remaining physically and mentally fit is the key to leading a healthy life. However, to live life without any hurdles one also needs to remain vigilant against all harmful factors.”
Vigilance officer of New India Assurance, MK Jain said, “Drug abuse is a burning topic in India presently.
The condition of the prosperous state of Punjab is deteriorating due to substance abuse. If we take a pledge to never abuse drugs and not let our peer group do the same, this can lead to a solution.”
The founder of Krishna Power Solution, Paras Nakra said, “Drugs earlier were used mainly for medication but now they are being abused for other purposes. The people and the enforcement authorities need to know which drug is harmful in what way and then take actions accordingly.”
Students of Pine Hall School, Doon World School, Sai Grace Academy International, UHMIT, Police Mordern School and Doon International School participated in the walk. The event was assisted by Life Insurance Corporation, Uttarakhand Organic Commodity Board, State Infrastructure and Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand Limited (SIIDCUL), Uttarakhand Handloom and Handicraft Development Council (UHHDC), Uttarakhand Police, Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA), Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), BRIDCUL, New India Assurance, Krishna Power Solution and Uttarakhand Gramya Vikas Samiti (UGVS) in organising the event.