PM Modi calls for drug-free youth, drug-free India in his 137th ‘Mann Ki Baat’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

| Photo Credit:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday appealed to citizens to join hands to free India from the menace of drug abuse, and build a stronger future for the youth adding that drug addiction does not just engulf a single individual, but the entire family and society have to bear the consequences.In his monthly ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address to the nation, Modi noted that the ‘Drug-Free Youth for a Developed India’ campaign is gaining momentum across the entire country. The Prime Minister is currently on a State visit to Uzbekistan and the radio broadcast is usually recorded a few days in advance, and played on the last Sunday of every month.“The ‘Nasha-mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat’ (NMBA) campaign is currently gaining momentum rapidly across the country. Its goal is absolutely clear: drug-free youth; a drug-free India. I am happy that this campaign has not remained merely a formality; many people - especially our youth - are becoming a part of it in large numbers. After all, this is our collective resolve for the health, happiness, and bright future of India’s youth,” he said.The NMBA is a flagship initiative of the government launched on August 15, 2020, under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR). The campaign seeks to prevent substance abuse through awareness generation, community participation, treatment, rehabilitation, aftercare and social reintegration while fostering a nationwide movement against drug abuse.The PM praised those who raise awareness against drugs and step forward to help individuals struggling with addiction. He also urged the youths to come up with a powerful slogan for a drug-free India. For instance, young musicians can create songs, students and theatre groups can write touching short plays that highlight the dangers of drugs while also showing the path to recovery, he said.“Our country has no shortage of excellent content creators. I urge them to create content in various languages ​​that helps society in this endeavour. You can use your creativity as a medium for social change. Do share your efforts on social media using the relevant hashtag (#NashaMuktYuva). Often, creative efforts prove more impactful than formal campaigns,” Modi said.Street vendor welfare schemeReferring to the PM SVANidhi Yojana, a welfare scheme for street vendors, the Prime Minister said the scheme is helping lakhs of women street vendors expand their businesses, increase their incomes and build a better future for their families.He said millions of mothers and sisters are gaining new strength through the ‘PM SVANidhi Scheme’ and this aspect of ‘women’s empowerment’ does not receive as much discussion as it should.“Nearly 46 per cent of the beneficiaries of the ‘PM SVANidhi Scheme’ are women. That means around 35-lakh women across the country are connecting with this scheme to advance their businesses,” he noted.Launched in June 2020, the PM SVANidhi scheme was formulated to assist street vendors to overcome the adverse effects of financial constraints and to restart their lost businesses during the Covid pandemic.Since the inception of the scheme, it has proved to be more than financial support for street vendors and has given them a sense of identity and formal recognition for their contribution to the economy.Initially launched till December 31, 2024, the scheme has been extended till March 31, 2030.Concluding his address, the Prime Minister again urged people to be ‘Vocal for Local’, during this festive season too.“Being ‘Vocal for Local’ does not merely mean buying earthen lamps; the vision behind it is much broader. Whatever item we purchase for our homes, do ensure to see that it is made in India. The path to India becoming self-reliant will be paved only by taking pride in products made in India. It is also our responsibility to convey this message to as many people as possible,” he added.Published on August 30, 2026