BJP National President Nitin Nabin on Sunday called upon Punjab’s youth to play a leading role in eliminating the drug menace from the state while addressing students during International Yoga Day celebrations at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara.
The event witnessed the participation of around 12,000 people and formed part of Nabin’s three-day visit to Punjab ahead of upcoming elections. During the programme, he administered an anti-drug pledge to students and repeatedly stressed the need to free Punjab from the problem of drug abuse.
Addressing the gathering, Nabin linked the fight against drugs with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India by 2047. He said the country was moving forward with a shared national objective and highlighted the guiding principle of “Sabkaa Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas” as a pathway towards achieving the goal of a developed nation.
Emphasising the importance of a healthy and empowered younger generation, Nabin said that the strength of the nation depended on the strength of its youth. He urged students to reject drugs and contribute towards building a stronger India. He reiterated that a weak youth population would weaken the country and encouraged young people to remain committed to a healthy lifestyle.
Highlighting Punjab’s rich cultural traditions, Nabin said the state’s identity was rooted in its heritage and food culture, including milk, lassi, curd, sarson ka saag and makki ki roti. He appealed to students to preserve and promote these traditions while firmly rejecting drug abuse.
The BJP leader also appealed to young people to use International Yoga Day as an opportunity to take a collective pledge to eradicate drugs from Punjab and contribute towards the creation of an energetic and strong India.
The programme was attended by LPU Chancellor Dr Ashok Mittal, Punjab BJP President Kewal Dhillon, Rajya Sabha MPs Tarun Chugh and Vikramjit Singh Sahney, along with former Union ministers Vijay Sampla, Som Prakash and Jangi Lal Mahajan.
During the event, LPU also announced the establishment of a “NaMO Chair” dedicated to International Yoga Day. In addition, a time capsule initiative was unveiled, which will be sealed and opened in 2047, aligning with the broader vision of a “Viksit Bharat”