Drug Free India Campaign

When I was in 6th grade, I saw an Indian National TV Channel’s awareness ad on the ill effects of smoking. The ad showed a healthy, working professional and dad being introduced to “social smoking” by his friends and how he made it a habit and in a span of 10 years, he had fallen prey to lung cancer, leaving his family and well-being in the lurch. His doctor gave him only a few months to live. It left a strong impression on me. I made a vow then and there that I would never ever touch a cigarette or any other drugs. I had a few opportunities along the way to smoke both during high school and college — But I declined all of them. One friend in college even boasted how he could control his smoking and that he was not addicted to it. I have also seen a couple of my friends from my college, IIT Madras, boast about how cool it is to smoke — Only to share how grateful they were that they could finally quit a couple of years later. Wisdom is looking at life from a much broader perspective, as Sri Sri Ravi Shankar often shares! I am glad I had my principles in place, very early in life. I am so very grateful to that Awareness Ad as it left a strong impression in my mind — For the good.

Today — February 18th 2019, marks the start of one such campaign — This time a nation-wide, far reaching and potentially high-impact campaign against all forms of drug abuse, a campaign led by Art of Living and its founder, global peace leader and humanitarian, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in collaboration with famous celebrities from Bollywood — Sanjay Dutt, Kapil Sharma, Sonakshi Sinha, Badshah and many others.

The campaign got off to a great start in Chandigarh University with “High Josh”, inspiration, heart-felt sharing and beautiful wisdom on keeping away from drugs.

A few highlights worth mentioning (you can watch the full video here ):

• Sri Sri shared that there should be a barrier to entry to drugs. Something that tells you strongly to keep away. Like an awareness on the negative impact of drugs — Maybe something like the ad I saw in 6th grade.
• Sanjay Dutt asked Sri Sri about stigmatization of drug users. He mentioned that it is very easy to fall prey to drugs but not so easy to quit. Sanjay is a role model to the youth, as he himself has been a drug addict, but has been successful in being drug free (watch the movie Sanju a biopic on his life). Sri Sri, in response to Sanjay, mentioned that people who are in the trap of drugs shouldn’t be shunned but should be given steps with love to come back to the mainstream.
• Na Karunga Na Karne Doonga was the slogan of the event that was repeatedly echoed through the big gathering by both the celebrities on stage and students gathered. Translated from Hindi to English — “Neither will I do drugs nor will I let anyone do it.”
• Sri Sri shared that there is some sense of pride associated with doing drugs. Like drugs are cool. He mentioned that the sense of pride needs to be de-linked from drugs. If there is enough awareness, peer pressure should in fact shame you from indulging in drugs. That seems to be one of the main purposes of the campaign.

Overall, the campaign sent a lot of positive messages to the members of the Chandigarh University and people watching the webcast through out India. Punjab is a state that has had big issues with its youth falling prey to drugs (watch the movie Udta Punjab to know more) — So it is heart warming and a no-brainer that this initiative got flagged off in this city. Here’s wishing a grand success to this great initiative by Art of Living, supported by Bollywood stars.

If you support this initiative — Please leave a missed call at +91 22 2844 4808

Peace and Love!