On National Panchayati Raj Day as Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU), Rohtak launched a massive campaign against drug addiction, initiating the first of its kind in the country – ‘Drug Free Home’ Scheme in Madodi Rangdan village in Rohtak district on Thursday.
The campaign, launched by Professor Rajbir Singh, Vice-Chancellor of MDU, began with the first-ever Gram Sabha in India based only on the idea of ‘Drug-free homes’. He stated that this was ‘need of the hour’ and that drugs spoil both mental and physical health as well as families and societies.
Professor Singh also announced that college students associated with MDU would now become ‘Gram Saarthis’ – volunteers who will go to household to household, talk to people, and inform them about the bad effects of drugs.
Social Worker and MDU outreach representative, Professor Sunil Jaglan presided over the function and inspired villagers by recounting success stories from other villages. Professor Anju Dhiman, who presides over the outreach work in the university, assisted in the implementation of the initiative.
At the interest of the program, MDU volunteers also set up a mock Gram Sabha to showcase how village meetings are conducted, with students Prince Kumar and Yanshi Desai taking center stage.
According to a study carried out by MDU as well, while there are about 450 houses in Madodi Rangdan, only 22 are drug free as of now. With about a population of 2,800, the campaign hopes to help this village – and, eventually the nation.
