Rakesh Bhayana
Panipat: While lakhs of devotees undertake the annual Kanwar Yatra during the holy month of Shravan to bring Ganga water from Haridwar for offering to Lord Shiva, a unique pilgrimage has emerged as a powerful social awareness campaign against drug abuse.
Abhimanyu Singh Yadav, president of Bharat Nirman Yuva Dal Haryana and former OSD to ex-Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal, has launched the "Nasha Mukti Jagran Mahaabhiyan Kanwar Yatra" along with his team. The initiative aims to spread awareness against drug addiction and encourage young people to adopt a healthy and value-based lifestyle.
The yatra received a warm welcome in Panipat, where members of various social, religious and trade organisations joined the campaign and pledged their support for a drug-free Haryana. Organisers said the initiative seeks to transform the traditional Kanwar Yatra into a platform for social reform and public awareness.
The journey began on August 3 from Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar, after receiving blessings from saints and collecting the holy Ganga water. It will pass through Panipat, Israna, Gohana, Rohtak, Jhajjar, Matanhail and Nahar, before concluding at Bageshwar Dham in Mahendragarh district.
Speaking on the occasion, Abhimanyu Singh Yadav said his team has been running an anti-drug awareness campaign for the past year. He expressed concern over the growing menace of substance abuse among youth and said the Kanwar Yatra had been linked with the campaign to take the message to a larger audience.
He urged young people to stay connected with India's cultural values, Vedic traditions and the wisdom of elders. Bridging the widening generation gap, he said, was essential for building a stronger society and achieving the vision of a drug-free Haryana.
Former councillor Lokesh Nagru described the campaign as a timely initiative, saying Haryana must prevent the kind of drug crisis witnessed in neighbouring Punjab. He appealed to the youth to devote themselves to spirituality, patriotism and the ideals of great freedom fighters instead of falling prey to addiction.
All India Saini Samaj Haryana president Ravindra Saini also extended his support, stating that the campaign was inspiring young people to stay away from drugs during the sacred month of Shravan. He emphasised that sustained public awareness efforts were crucial to tackling the growing drug threat in the state.
Representatives of social organisations, khaps, artists and prominent citizens welcomed the yatra, describing it as an inspiring movement that blends religious faith with a strong message of social responsibility.