The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment organized an awareness program under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) at Vertex Institute in Solan, Himachal Pradesh, which serves as an authorized partner of the National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT) Shimla. The event was conducted in collaboration with the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment of the Himachal Pradesh government.
Shri Sudhansh Pant, Secretary of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, attended as Chief Guest alongside Additional District Commissioner Divyanshu Singal, Deputy Director Keshav Nand Gautam, and District Welfare Officer Vivek Arora. The program specifically targeted young people, with 96 students from Vertex Institute participating in various educational and creative activities designed to raise awareness about substance abuse prevention.
A key component was Secretary Pant's interaction with students pursuing Computer Applications and Artificial Intelligence under the PM-AJAY program. He emphasized the importance of acquiring industry-relevant skills and strengthening digital capabilities to leverage emerging opportunities in the Information Technology sector. The Secretary also distributed certificates to meritorious students in recognition of their academic achievements and acknowledged the institute's role in providing job-oriented skill-based IT programs.
The program featured a Nasha Mukt Bharat pledge ceremony administered by Shri Pant, where students committed to staying away from drugs and contributing to a drug-free society. Additional activities included painting, slogan writing, debates, declamation, and a thematic skit centered on the vision of a Nasha Mukt Bharat. Cultural performances conveyed messages about healthy lifestyles and responsible decision-making.
The event concluded with reaffirmation that sustained awareness, youth engagement, and community participation are vital to advancing the NMBA vision launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15, 2020. The Department of Social Justice & Empowerment serves as the nodal department for this comprehensive initiative that focuses on awareness generation, preventive education, and community participation.