The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports reported that MY Bharat-National Service Scheme (NSS) organised nationwide 'Diwali Sneh Milan' celebrations as part of the Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat 100 Week Sankalp Abhiyan. The eighth weekly intervention was conducted across 153 institutions, recording 1,07,494 total participations, marking the conclusion of the campaign's second month.
The initiative aimed to extend substance abuse prevention messaging beyond educational institutions to homes and neighbourhoods, encouraging families and communities to take collective responsibility for promoting healthy choices during festive celebrations. Activities at remaining institutions will be held after the vacation period.
As part of the Nasha Mukt Deepotsav component, volunteers, community elders and children lit earthen diyas symbolizing the victory of light over the darkness of addiction. The Deepotsav and Sneh Milan gatherings together engaged over 41,600 participants.
Participating institutions organised Nukkad Nataks in regional languages, Rangoli-making activities, and Nasha Mukt songs, engaging over 24,100 participants through cultural programmes that used traditional and creative forms of expression to communicate substance abuse prevention messages.
A collective 'Addiction-Free Diwali Sankalp' pledge was taken by nearly 25,000 individuals and family members who committed to celebrating Diwali without intoxicants and adopting responsible festive practices.
Under the Seva vertical, over 16,700 volunteers visited old-age homes, orphanages, hospitals and slum areas, distributing diyas and sweets while demonstrating the NSS motto of 'Not Me, But You'. Youth volunteers also created more than 1,100 social media posts and reels featuring mandatory Nukkad Nataks on Instagram using the hashtag #NashaMuktYuva to extend the campaign's digital reach.