National Conference on War Against Drugs at Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab August 1, 2026

Sh. Gulab Chand Kataria, Hon’ble Governor of Punjab
Smt. Mitra Ghosh, First Lady of Haryana
Prof. Jai S. Singh, Vice Chancellor, Rajiv Gandhi National
University of Law, Patiala

Esteemed Vice Chancellors, distinguished faculty members and my dear students!

I am delighted to be among such energetic and inspiring young minds. Wherever I look, I see not just the youth of today but the strength, confidence and future of India. Your enthusiastic presence reflects a collective resolve to fight the menace of drug abuse. I congratulate the University administration, educational institutions, stakeholders and above all, the youth for organizing this important conference.
This is not merely a conference; it is a call to choose between hope and despair. One path leads to health, sports, education and success, while the other leads to addiction, broken families and shattered dreams. I am confident that each one of you will choose the path of life, purpose and progress.
Today, let us take a pledge: We will run towards our dreams, not towards drugs. We will move forward with education, sports, skills, and meaningful opportunities—not bad company and addiction. As I inaugurate this National Conference, I hope it marks the beginning of a powerful movement of public awareness, with its message spreading far beyond Punjab.
Dear young friends, the greatest strength of any nation is its youth. When young people dream boldly, work hard and move forward with confidence, no force can stop a nation from progressing. Unfortunately, drug abuse strikes at these very dreams. It weakens individuals, destroys families and erodes the strength of society. Therefore, this fight is not only the responsibility of law enforcement; it is a shared responsibility of families, educational institutions, communities and every citizen.
Life will always present challenges—academic pressure, unemployment, or loneliness. But drugs are never the answer. The real solutions lie in determination, dialogue, guidance and self-belief. I also urge parents and guardians to give their children not only comfort but also their time, trust and attention. Open communication and timely support can prevent many young lives from falling into addiction. Those who have become victims deserve compassion, treatment and rehabilitation—not rejection.
I am happy to share that Haryana has earned global recognition through its sporting excellence. Likewise, the talented youth of Punjab, who have brought glory to the nation in sports, possess the courage and determination to defeat this social evil as well.
Under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, initiatives such as Fit India, Khelo India, Skill India, Digital India, Startup India, and Viksit Bharat 2047 are creating unprecedented opportunities for our youth. With such avenues before us, there is no place for the scourge of drug abuse.
I call upon everyone present here to take a pledge to the fight against drug abuse and work towards eliminating this menace from our society. If each of you inspires ten others, together we can transform this resolve into a nationwide movement.
Let me conclude with a simple message: When our youth are fit, our nation is strong. When our youth are free from drugs, our families are happy. And when our youth are determined, India will become a developed and self-reliant nation.
Thank you. Jai Hind!