Governor urges youth to replace substance abuse with sports in Odisha

During the launch of the "Nasha‑Mukt Bharat, Viksit Bharat 2047" campaign at Kalinga Stadium, Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati addressed a gathering of students, officials and sports enthusiasts. He pledged the "Nasha‑Mukt Yuva – Viksit Bharat Pratigya" and called on Odisha’s young population to view sports, fitness, yoga and community service as powerful alternatives to drug use.

The governor emphasized that a drug‑free society cannot be achieved by government action alone; it requires a revolutionary "jan‑andolan" involving parents, teachers, NGOs and especially the youth. He praised Odisha’s rise as a leading sports centre and encouraged youngsters to channel their energy into athletics rather than illicit substances.

He also reminded the audience that addiction harms health, destabilises families, erodes economic stability and hampers the state’s development. The governor’s remarks aligned with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s declaration of a 100‑week, two‑year movement, supported by a zero‑tolerance stance on illegal drug trade.

Majhi outlined the police achievements from July 2024 to June 2026: destruction of cannabis farms on 63,720 acres, seizures worth over ₹2,100 crore, and arrests of 3,699 offenders. Rehabilitation centres are being expanded, and citizens are urged to report any suspicious activity promptly.