Kashi Declaration: 5-Year Drug-Free Youth Plan

• The Youth Spiritual Summit in Varanasi concluded with the adoption of the Kashi Declaration.
• The declaration sets a five-year roadmap for a youth-led drug de-addiction movement aimed at achieving a drug-free India by 2047.
• Over 600 youth leaders from more than 120 spiritual and socio-cultural organizations participated.

GG News Bureau
Varanasi, 21st July: The Youth Spiritual Summit, themed “Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat” (Drug-Free Youth for Developed India), successfully concluded today at the Rudraksh International Convention Centre in Varanasi with the formal adoption of the Kashi Declaration. Organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the summit brought together over 600 youth leaders and representatives from more than 120 spiritual and socio-cultural organizations, alongside academicians and domain experts. This event marks a pivotal moment in India’s journey toward achieving a drug-free society by 2047.

The three-day gathering served as a national convergence of youthful energy, spiritual vision, and institutional resolve. The summit featured four focused plenary sessions that delved into key aspects of substance abuse: its psychological and societal impacts, the mechanisms of drug trafficking and supply chains, strategies for grassroots awareness campaigns, and the crucial role of spiritual and cultural institutions in rehabilitation and prevention. These comprehensive deliberations formed the intellectual and moral bedrock of the Kashi Declaration.

Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, emphasized the significance of the declaration, stating, “We have reflected deeply over the last three days across diverse thematic sessions. Based on this collective chintan (contemplation), the Kashi Declaration is born, not just as a document, but as a shared Sankalp (resolve) for the Yuva Shakti of Bharat.”

The Kashi Declaration, formally adopted, establishes a national consensus to address substance abuse as a multi-faceted public health and societal challenge. It calls for a “whole-of-government and whole-of-society” approach, integrating spiritual, cultural, educational, and technological efforts to prevent addiction, support recovery, and cultivate a national culture of sobriety. The declaration also proposes institutional mechanisms for multi-ministerial coordination, including the formation of a Joint National Committee, annual progress reporting, and a national platform to connect affected individuals with support services.

Building on the summit’s spiritual foundation, Dr. Mandaviya further added, “Bharat’s spiritual strength has always guided Bharat through its crises. This is why spiritual institutions must now lead the charge in creating a Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat. They will serve as the backbone of this Maha Abhiyan (great campaign).”

Echoing this sentiment, Himachal Pradesh Governor Shri Shiv Pratap Shukla reflected on the sacred nature of the venue. “This sacred land of Kashi is the cradle of Sanatan Chetna (eternal consciousness), where discipline and values guide life’s journey towards moksha (liberation). We are not just gathering; we are sowing seeds that will one day grow into a strong tree of national transformation,” he stated. He also cautioned that “if a nation where 65% of the population is youth falls prey to addiction, only those who break free from it will be able to build the future.”

The culminating session witnessed the presence of several distinguished dignitaries, including Shri Nitin Agarwal, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Excise and Prohibition, Government of Uttar Pradesh, who delivered a keynote address. Other dignitaries who participated in the summit’s sessions included Dr. Virendra Kumar (Social Justice and Empowerment), Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (Culture and Tourism), Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Shri Anil Rajbhar, Minister of State, Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai, Smt. Raksha Nikhil Khadse (Youth Affairs and Sports), and Shri Girish Chandra Yadav (Sports Minister, Uttar Pradesh). Smt. Raksha Khadse highlighted the misuse of digital platforms targeting schoolchildren and reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance policy under the Prime Minister’s leadership.

As part of the broader MY Bharat framework, the Youth Spiritual Summit has laid the groundwork for a national youth-led anti-drug campaign. MY Bharat volunteers and affiliated youth clubs are now poised to spearhead pledge campaigns, awareness drives, and community outreach efforts across the country. The Kashi Declaration will serve as a guiding charter, with its progress slated for review during the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026, ensuring continuous momentum and accountability.