SHIMLA, 22.04.25-Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla today flagged-off a massive anti-drug awareness rally at Barrier Chowk at Indora in Kangra district, as part of the ongoing “Drug-Free Himachal” campaign. The rally witnessed enthusiastic participation from hundreds of students of Minerva College of Pharmacy and other local institutions, who carried posters and banners with anti-drug messages and raised slogans pledging a drug-free future for the state.

Several dignitaries joined the rally and expressed their solidarity with the Governor’s initiative to combat drug addiction in the state.

Addressing the gathering the Governor said, “All political parties must first campaign to save Himachal before promoting themselves. Only by eradicating drugs, we can preserve the rich cultural heritage of the state’.”

Later, speaking at the campus of Minerva Group of Colleges, affiliated with Himachal Pradesh Technical University, the Governor lauded the students for their powerful participation and said their voice had resonated across the state. He said that the Drug-Free Himachal campaign was launched with the inspiration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and had since evolved into a people’s movement.

He said that parents were now coming forward to help rehabilitate their children who had fallen into the trap of addiction. The Governor urged students to paste their anti-drug posters around their homes to further inspire their communities.

He also announced a new direction for higher educational institutions, under which students would be required to submit an affidavit during admission, pledging to abstain from drugs. Violation of this pledge would lead to disciplinary action. Expressing concern over rising drug abuse in neighboring Punjab, he noted that many youths were now unable to qualify for military recruitment due to drug-related health issues.

The Governor congratulated the State Government for enacting legislation in the Assembly aimed at tackling drug abuse and emphasized that, as the constitutional head of the state, he had taken on the role of a guardian stepping out of Raj Bhavan to lead the anti-drug campaign across Himachal Pradesh.

“To achieve the goal of a 5-trillion economy, our youth must move away from addiction and towards productive endeavors,” he said. He praised the Kangra district administration and police for their proactive efforts and called upon students to carry forward the momentum from Indora as a model initiative.

Earlier, the Governor inaugurated the newly constructed building of Minerva Nursing College and visited the ancient Shiv temple at Kathgarh, where he offered prayers.

Member of Parliament from Kangra Rajiv Bhardwaj welcomed the Governor and thanked him for launching the state-wide anti-drug movement. He said the Governor has shown exceptional sensitivity toward social concerns and has personally taken to the field, awakening public consciousness across Himachal. He emphasized that while administrative action is important, only widespread public awareness can eradicate the menace of drugs.

MLA Indora-Gangath Malender Rajan, also welcomed the Governor and described the campaign as a noble cause tied directly to the future of the youth. He highlighted ongoing efforts in the border areas and reaffirmed commitment to making Indora a drug-free zone under the Chief Minister’s “zero tolerance” directive.

Vice-Chancellor, Himachal Pradesh Technical University Prof. Shashi Dhiman said the Governor’s first visit to the region underscores his deep commitment to the issue. He stressed the need to develop effective community-based models to curb the spread of drugs, particularly in border regions.

As part of the programme, students of Minerva College performed a street play dramatizing the dangers of drug abuse.

President of Minerva College of Pharmacy J.S. Patial, proposed a vote of thanks.

Secretary to the Governor C.P. Verma, Deputy Commissioner, Kangra Hemraj Bairwa, Superintendent of Police Ashok Ratna, former MLA Rita Dhiman, representative of Panchayati Raj institutions and other prominent people were also present on the occasion.