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The Department of Social Justice & Empowerment has inked a monumental memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) on November 23, 2023, in New Delhi. The collaboration aims to propagate the message of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan among diverse segments including youth, women, and students.
The MoU delineates several pivotal objectives:
- Community Awareness: Employing on-ground initiatives and social media campaigns to foster awareness.
- Substance-Free Educational Institutions: Focus on universities, higher educational institutions, and schools to create substance-free environments.
- Community Outreach: Identifying and aiding populations dependent on substances.
- Enhanced Counseling and Rehabilitation: Strengthening support systems for counseling and rehabilitation.
- Youth Well-being: Prioritizing mental and physical well-being among adolescents and young adults.
As part of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, the Ministry has crafted the Navchetna Modules tailored for school students across the nation. Comprising nine teacher-driven training modules, these aim to instill life skills education and raise awareness regarding substance abuse among students from the 6th to 11th standard. Additionally, one module specifically targets parents.
The initial phase will encompass 100 schools in 300 identified districts, involving over 30 teachers in each school. The rollout involves training Master Trainers, with five from each district, facilitated by the Department of Education & SCERT in respective states.
To amplify the program’s impact, the training materials are being translated into 12 regional languages of India, broadening its accessibility and reach.
The primary objectives of the Navchetna Modules encompass preventing and delaying substance initiation among school children, facilitating support for those engaged in substance use, and providing families and teachers with early detection tools and access to necessary support.
Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri A. Narayanaswamy, shared these details in a written response to a Lok Sabha inquiry, underscoring the government’s commitment to combating substance abuse among the youth through proactive educational initiatives.
