PM Modi Calls for Drug-Free India, Urges Youth to Turn Creativity Into Social Change
New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for a stronger public effort to protect young people from substance abuse, saying that building a drug-free generation is closely connected with India’s long-term social and national development.
Speaking during the 137th edition of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat on Sunday, the Prime Minister highlighted the growing momentum of the ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat’ campaign. He encouraged citizens, particularly young people, to participate in efforts aimed at creating greater awareness about addiction and its consequences.
A Collective Responsibility
The Prime Minister presented drug abuse as an issue that extends beyond the individual. Addiction can affect families, relationships and communities, making prevention and support important parts of the wider response.
Rather than limiting awareness efforts to official programmes, Modi urged citizens to become active participants. He specifically called on young people, musicians, students, theatre groups and digital content creators to use their talents to communicate the message of a drug-free life.
According to the Prime Minister, creative communication can make social messages easier to understand and more relatable, particularly among younger audiences.
Creativity as a Tool for Awareness
One of the distinctive elements of the Prime Minister’s appeal was his focus on creativity. He encouraged young people to develop slogans, songs, short plays and digital content that can explain the dangers of substance abuse while also highlighting the importance of recovery and a healthier lifestyle.
The emphasis on multiple languages is particularly significant for a country as diverse as India. Locally relevant messages can potentially reach audiences that may not connect with conventional awareness campaigns.
The government’s broader Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan was launched in 2020 under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction. Its approach includes awareness, community participation, treatment, rehabilitation, aftercare and social reintegration.
Women Street Vendors and PM SVANidhi
The Prime Minister also drew attention to another aspect of social development during the programme: the economic empowerment of women street vendors.
He highlighted the PM SVANidhi scheme and said women account for about 46 percent of its beneficiaries, representing roughly 35 lakh women across the country. The scheme was introduced to provide working-capital support to street vendors and was subsequently extended until March 31, 2030.
Modi said the economic progress of women can have effects beyond individual businesses, influencing household stability, children’s opportunities and women’s confidence.
Technology Meets History
The episode also featured an example of how technology can be used to make India’s history more accessible.
Modi spoke with Mumbai-based Krishna Seshadri, who developed a website that allows users to explore which rulers governed different parts of India during particular periods. The initiative focuses attention on historical kingdoms and regions that may receive less attention in conventional discussions of Indian history.
The Prime Minister presented the project as an example of an individual using digital technology to encourage greater interest in history.
Cleanliness and Environmental Responsibility
Cleanliness was another theme of the broadcast. Modi referred to community-led efforts in Uttar Pradesh and the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, where large quantities of waste were collected and processed.
He also highlighted efforts to turn waste generated during the pilgrimage into useful resources, illustrating how environmental responsibility can be connected with public participation and religious travel.
The message was broader than simply keeping public spaces clean. The Prime Minister described cleanliness as something that can become a shared social responsibility when communities take ownership of it.
Encouraging Girls in Space and Technology
The programme also highlighted opportunities for girls in science and technology. Modi referred to Mission ShaktiSAT, an initiative involving thousands of girls from countries around the world and aimed at giving students exposure to satellite technology and innovation.
The reference underlined the importance of creating opportunities for young women to participate in advanced scientific and technological fields.
A Wider Message for Young India
The various subjects discussed during the broadcast—from drug prevention and women’s entrepreneurship to history, cleanliness and space technology—shared a common theme: citizen participation.
The Prime Minister’s message was that national development is not driven only by large institutions or government programmes. Individual initiatives, community action and the creativity of young people can also contribute to broader social change.
The latest Mann Ki Baat episode therefore placed particular emphasis on giving citizens an active role in addressing social challenges and creating opportunities.
For India’s young population, the call for a drug-free future was paired with a broader invitation to use education, creativity, technology and community participation as positive forces.
As India looks toward its long-term development goals, the Prime Minister’s appeal seeks to place the health and potential of the country’s youth at the centre of that journey.
Source verification: PMO India and Press Information Bureau records, August 30, 2026.
