Students vow to say no to drugs

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 18

A large number of students joined the nationwide ‘Drug-free India’ campaign at Chandigarh University at Gharuan in Kharar near here today.

Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, comedian Kapil Sharma, rapper Badshah and Punjabi singer Gurdas Mann were present during the launch of the fight against drugs on the university campus.

UT Administrator and Punjab Governor VP Singh Badnore hailed the initiative. Over 30,000 students took a pledge, “Drugs na karunga na karne dunga”, along with spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

“Every youth has a creative element in him/her. It is necessary to identify the individual’s creative skills so that his/her full energy could be utilized towards improving these rather than taking to drugs,” said the spiritual guru.

“People of Punjab faced terrorism at one point of time. It was unforeseen that Punjab would see drug menace. Each and every person has a responsibility to shoulder. If any of your friends is showing abnormal signs, you should report. Many drug addiction centres have been opened in Punjab,” said the Governor.

Addressing students, Kapil Sharma said, “When warriors from Punjab could fight the conquerors or invaders and protect our motherland, it is the duty of the youth today to wage a war against the menace of drugs.”

Sanju shares his experience

• Actor Sanjay Dutt shared his experience with drugs during the launch of the ‘Drug-free India’ campaign at Chandigarh University.
• Dutt recalled: At the crack of dawn, I found myself starving. My mother had departed to her heavenly abode. I asked my servant to give me food. He told me that I hadn’t eaten anything for two days as I was asleep. Blood was oozing out of my nose and mouth. I was frightened to see myself and went to my father for help. He took me to America where I stayed at a drug de-addiction centre.
• “In the first year, I felt like trying a puff more but I stopped myself. When I returned home, a person came to me to try out a new drug. At that point of time, I had decided whether to take it or discard it. It was my proud choice to shun it. From that day, I decided that I will help the youths of the country just like my father helped me,” said the actor.