Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the nationwide anti-drug campaign "Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan" in Kashi, Uttar Pradesh [1, 2].

The initiative links public health and social stability to the national economic goal of becoming a developed nation. By targeting substance abuse among young people, the government aims to ensure the workforce is capable of sustaining the vision of a "Viksit Bharat."

Speaking from Varanasi, Modi said that a drug-free youth is the key to building Viksit Bharat [1]. He said that the health and productivity of the younger generation are essential pillars for the country's future development goals.

The Prime Minister chose the city of Kashi as the starting point for the movement. "The campaign begins on the sacred soil of Kashi; I urge every citizen to help our young people understand the dangers of substance abuse," Modi said [2].

The campaign seeks to mobilize citizens to educate youth on the risks of addiction. The government intends to create a support system that prevents substance abuse from hindering the potential of the nation's youth, a demographic central to India's growth strategy.

Modi said that staying away from drugs is a necessity for those who wish to contribute to a developed India [1]. The program encourages community involvement to identify at-risk individuals and provide the necessary guidance to steer them away from narcotics.

“"A drug-free youth is the key to building Viksit Bharat."”

This campaign signals a strategic shift by the Indian government to treat substance abuse not merely as a criminal or medical issue, but as a direct obstacle to national economic development. By framing a 'drug-free youth' as a prerequisite for 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India), the administration is tying public health outcomes to the country's geopolitical and economic ambitions.