Difficult to find youth fit for Army in Punjab: Governor

Tribune News Service

Shimla, February 15

Governor Acharya Devvrat today stressed the need for launching a mass movement to combat the drug menace which, he said, was the biggest threat to any society as drugs had gripped the younger generation.

The Governor was speaking at the launch of a campaign organised by the Shimla Press Club against drug addiction. “The easiest way to destroy any nation is to get its youth addicted to drugs, which is so visible in states like Mizoram and Punjab,” he said.

He said every section of society would have to join hands to save the youth from drugs as all forms of narcotics were being pumped into the country.

He said he had seen many families being devastated with their children becoming drug victims. “Each one of us needs to make a resolve to ensure that the menace does not grip the youth of Himachal,” he said. The energy of the youth need to be channelised towards healthy living, including yoga and physical activity.

He regretted the situation in Punjab was so alarming that it was getting difficult to find the youth who were physically fit to join the Army. “Punjab, which sent the most well-built and valiant soldiers to fight the enemies on the borders, is grappling with drug menace with many youth having lost their lives after getting addicted to drugs,” he said.

There were some social evils like foeticide which also need to be eradicated. “A society, which does not respect its women and worst of all resorts to female foeticide, can never progress. So we need to change the mindset of the people,” he stressed.

The Governor also emphasised the need for promoting organic farming which would help save people from the ill-effects of harmful chemicals found in pesticides and insecticides. The Governor honoured senior journalists on the occasion.