It is common knowledge that Punjab is facing a big threat of its youth being increasingly addicted to drugs. This is dangerous for the security of India, since Punjab is close to Pakistan’s borders, and it helps the neighbour to weaken the social fabric of this State and the country. Brave Punjabi soldiers were among the main factors in India winning the wars against Pakistan in 1965 and 1971. The lack of proper employment opportunities has also resulted in large-scale migration of Punjabi youth to other countries.
A proper utilisation of the younger generation of Sikhs, to be trained and absorbed in the Indian Army, will effectively tackle the serious problem of drug-addiction and migration. The Union Government should set up Army schools and a unit of the National Defence Academy in Punjab, so that the youth can join the Army at an early stage and not resort to drugs for various reasons, including unemployment.