Admn starts skill training for recovering addicts

As part of the Punjab Government’s “Yudh Nasheya Virudh” campaign, the district administration, in collaboration with the Dairy Development and Health Department and supported by Sun Foundation, has launched a 10-day skill training programme for youth undergoing de-addiction treatment at the Government Rehabilitation Centre in Jagraon.

The inaugural session was conducted by Deputy Director (Dairy Development) Surinder Singh, who imparted hands-on training in dairy farming and related activities — skills that can directly lead to self-employment opportunities for the recovering individuals.

Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain emphasised that the objective was to provide sustainable livelihood options to those recovering from addiction and prevent relapse by giving them a purpose of livelihood. “On the directions of the Punjab Government, we are fully committed to ensuring that no recovered person slips back into drugs due to lack of income or opportunity,” he said.

He added that expert officials from the Dairy Development Department would train the participants thoroughly, and many more such vocational programmes would be organised in the coming months for holistic rehabilitation.

The programme is being executed in close coordination with Civil Surgeon Dr Ramandeep Kaur, Lead District Manager Gurdev Singh Kang, Employment Generation, Skill Development & Training Officer Jeevandeep Singh, and Centre In charge Dr Vivek Goyal.

Upon successful completion of the training, eligible participants will be facilitated with loans and financial assistance, enabling them to start their own small dairy units.