Karnataka State Temperance Board president Sharanappa Saladpur said that a State-level conference on ‘Addiction-Free Day’ will be organised at the Agriculture College auditorium in Bheemarayanagudi in Shahapur on August 01, to mark the celebration of the birth anniversary of Vijay Mahant Swami.Mr. Saladpur said that this is the first State-level conference that is going to be hosted in Kalyana Karnataka, to create awareness about harm from addiction to alcohol and other drugs.The various government departments, ASHA and anganwadi workers and other members of different organisations are asked to take part in the conference as part of efforts to make society addiction- and drug-free, he said.Referring to Hutti in Koppal district, where there are no liquor shops, Mr. Saladpur said that the village residents abandoned all addictions, including liquor, after Abhinava Gavisiddeshwar Swami convinced them with his inspirational speeches. Similarly, there are another 13 villages in the Koppal district that followed the advice by Swami and kept away from all bad habits.“All villages will be felicitated with the awards and appreciation letters from the board after this conference,” he added.Appealing to the people, Mr. Saladpur said that people should realise that addiction to liquor and other substances is harmful to their health and they should give up on this to ensure good health.Home Minister Priyank Kharge and former Minister and MLA Sharanabasappa Darshanapur will participate in the event.Additional Deputy Commissioner Ramesh Kolar was present. Published - July 28, 2026 07:31 pm IST