The University of Jammu is set to inaugurate a 100-day Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA), or Drug-Free India Campaign, with a formal launch scheduled for tomorrow. Vice-Chancellor Prof Umesh Rai will lead a pledge ceremony on the university campus to mark the beginning of the initiative. This program aligns with the vision of Lieutenant Governor and Chancellor Manoj Sinha. Information reaching TahirRihat.com suggests that, the 100-day campaign was initially launched across Jammu & Kashmir on April 11, 2026.
The announcement was made during a press conference featuring key university officials. These included Prof Neelu Rohmetra, Dean Research Studies; Prof J P Singh Joorel, Dean Academic Affairs; Prof Prakash C Anthal, Dean Students Welfare; and Dr Neeraj Sharma, Registrar. The University has developed a detailed 100-day action plan spanning from April to June 2026. This plan encompasses a broad spectrum of activities involving various university departments, clubs, NSS/NCC units, and offsite campuses.
According to university officials, the month of April will prioritize awareness and mobilization through various events. These include pledge ceremonies, wellness programs, marathons, debates, and interactions between police and the community. May will shift the focus to community outreach, with an emphasis on women-led initiatives, employee awareness programs, and outreach activities in the surrounding areas. June will concentrate on solidifying and sustaining the campaign’s impact. Activities planned for June include anti-drug themed events, teacher training programs, plantation drives, and integrating awareness into academic curricula.
Prof. Neelu Rohmetra emphasized the University’s dedication to fostering a supportive environment through continuous awareness efforts, mentorship, and counseling. She stressed the importance of addressing addiction not as a solution to life’s challenges, but as a problem to be solved through proactive engagement with students, guiding them towards positive and constructive choices.
Prof J P Singh Joorel noted the heightened vulnerability of youth, particularly those living away from home, to substance abuse due to evolving social dynamics. He underscored the necessity of a coordinated strategy involving government enforcement, community involvement, and institutional responsibility (Prof J P Singh Joorel said). He further (Prof J P Singh Joorel added) such collaborative effort is key to effectively combating drug abuse among young people.
Prof Prakash C Anthal highlighted the pressing need to address the escalating issue of drug abuse with both urgency and collective action. He emphasized the profound impact of drug abuse on families, society, and the future of young individuals (Prof Prakash C Anthal stated). He (Prof Prakash C Anthal added) it is a shared responsibility to protect the well-being of the youth and society as a whole.
Dr Neeraj Sharma reaffirmed the University’s unwavering commitment to ensuring efficient administrative coordination to facilitate the successful implementation of the Nasha Mukt Abhiyan across all its departments and campuses. He emphasized the institution’s resolve to create a drug-free environment and offer extensive support to those in need (Dr Neeraj Sharma noted).
The University of Jammu’s 100-day Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan represents a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach to combating drug abuse. By engaging students, faculty, staff, and the wider community, the university aims to create lasting change and promote a healthier, drug-free environment.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.