Youth Summit held at Varanasi: Pushes for Drug-Free India

The summit was conducted in Varanasi and it saw the congregation of 600+ youth and 120+ spiritual organisations under the banner of [Nasha Mukt Yuva, Nasha Mukt Yuva led to Viksit Bharat. Led by a Union Minister, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, the summit focused on the community-centric, spiritually rooted movement against substance abuse. The message of PM Modi was about purpose driven life and awareness amidst the youth. Some milestones were cultural events and adoption of the Kashi Declaration. The summit was in line with MY Bharat and the aspiration to be a developed India by 2047.

Context:

• Young Indians are at the heart of the Indian vision of becoming a developed country by 2047. 
• As the world becomes more worried about the high prevalence rates of substance abuse among young people, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports held the summit in Varanasi with an aim of launching spirituality into civic activity against addiction.

Key Highlights of the Summit for RAS Mains

Venue and Leader

• Leader: Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya is the Union Minister of Health
• Venue: It was conducted in Rudraksh International Cooperation and Convention Centre, Varanasi.

Address of Prime Minister:

• The generation was summoned to be new, self-conscious, value-oriented.
• Encouraged meaningful existence and cultural strength to be used against addiction.

Youth Participation:

• More than 600 youth activists and 120 spiritual organisations were present.
• Coordinate spiritual mobilization to a national anti-addiction movement.

Important Topics and Issues:

Summit Theme:

• Nasha Mukt Yuva to Viksit Bharat- which is in line with Amrit Kaal and the vision 2047 of India in terms of development.

Plenary Topics:

• Categories and reasons for addictions (including digital).
• Mobilisation moves on the ground.
• The intervention of spiritual and social activity.
• Sessions has helped draft the Kashi Declaration.

Engagement: Cultural Engagement & Public Awareness:

• Spiritual messages were displayed through Banaras cultural shows.
• Street plays and Nukkad Nataks created awareness against drugs.
• Healthcare professionals, educators, traders and leaders of the civil society were reached out to.

Kashi Declaration:

• The 5-year plan towards a drug-free youth environment.
• Incorporates schedules of implementation, and indicators of monitoring.
• Reviewed every year, and starting with 2026 at Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue.

Conclusion:

The Youth Spiritual Summit 2025 will be an innovative combination of the energy of the youth and the process of spiritual tradition and national policy, as well as the elimination of addiction. As part of the MY Bharat project, the youth-driven development that resists substance abuse turns into a nationwide mission to be healthy and patriotic.