Patiala, August 1, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on Saturday said that the fight against drug abuse cannot be limited to the government and law enforcement agencies alone, asserting that the entire society must come together to eliminate the menace.
Addressing a national conference on “Yudh Nashian Virudh – The War Against Drugs” at Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law in Patiala, Kataria said drug abuse has become a serious challenge not only for Punjab but for the entire country. He warned that anti-national forces are attempting to weaken the nation by trapping young people in addiction.
Haryana Governor Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh also attended the conference, along with Vice Chancellors of several universities across Punjab, who expressed their commitment towards finding collective solutions to the drug crisis.
Kataria said the menace can be eradicated through coordinated efforts involving the government, administration, educational institutions, social and religious organisations, and citizens. He called for a mass movement to protect the younger generation, saying that safeguarding youth is equivalent to securing the nation’s future.
Highlighting Punjab Government’s ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign, the Governor said the initiative goes beyond action against drug smugglers and focuses on awareness, treatment, rehabilitation, education, sports and skill development.
He urged universities, colleges and schools to play an active role in preventing drug abuse through research, awareness programmes and community participation. He also appealed to Vice Chancellors and educationists to ensure drug-free campuses and support students struggling with addiction.
“Those trapped in the cycle of drugs need love and support instead of rejection,” Kataria said, adding that society must also accept its responsibility in addressing the conditions that contributed to the problem.
Vice Chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Prof. Jai Shankar Singh, said the university was providing specialised legal training to police officers to strengthen action against drug traffickers and ensure effective implementation of laws.
Other speakers, including Vice Chancellor of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Punjab Sports University Prof. (Dr.) Pushpinder Singh Gill, Punjabi University Vice Chancellor Dr. Jagdeep Singh and Guru Nanak Dev University Vice Chancellor Dr. Karamjit Singh, emphasised the role of educational institutions in building a drug-free society.
The conference was organised in collaboration with Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Punjab Sports University, Jagat Guru Nanak Dev Punjab State Open University and Punjabi University, Patiala.
During the event, books authored by Prof. (Dr.) Jai Shankar Singh and Dr. Jaswinder Kaur, along with a book written by Dr. Birender Singh and edited by Dr. Jasleen Kevalani, were also released.
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