ITANAGAR, Sep 15: As part of the ongoing campaign against substance abuse in the State, the Arunachal Pradesh Lok Bhavan organised declamation and painting competitions under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan at Lok Bhavan here on Tuesday.
The initiative was undertaken at the initiative of Governor Lt Gen (Retd) KT Parnaik to engage young people in creating awareness about the harmful effects of drug abuse and encourage them to become active partners in building a drug-free society.
Through creative expression and informed dialogue, the programme emphasised the need for collective commitment and youth participation in the fight against substance abuse.
The Governor while interacting with the participants appreciated their confidence, clarity of thought and commitment to the cause. He commended the standard of the declamation competition, noting that the participants expressed their views with conviction, maturity and a strong sense of social responsibility.
The Governor said such platforms not only help young people develop public speaking skills but also encourage them to think critically about issues affecting their communities.
A total of 31 students from higher educational institutions across the State participated in the declamation competition. The participating institutions included Arunachal Pradesh University, Pasighat; Dera Natung Government College, Itanagar; Binni Yanga Government Women’s College, Jote; Jarbom Gamlin Law College, Jote; Dorjee Khandu Government College, Tawang; NERIST, Nirjuli; Arunodaya University, Itanagar; Arunachal University of Studies, Namsai; Apex Professional University, Pasighat; IGTAMSU, Ziro; and Don Bosco College, Itanagar.
The painting competition saw participation from 35 students representing schools in and around the State capital. These included Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS), Polo Colony, Naharlagun; Malo Tarin GHSS, Itanagar; Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 2, Itanagar; Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 1, Naharlagun; Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya (VKV), Chimpu; VKV, Nirjuli; and Don Bosco School, Jollang.
The competitions provided students with a platform to express their perspectives on substance abuse and convey the message of a healthy and drug-free society through speech and art.