Guwahati | Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya on Friday concluded the Nasha Mukt Bharat Sankalp Padayatra in Guwahati, marking the end of a fortnight-long campaign across 10 districts to raise awareness about substance abuse.

Hundreds of students, youth volunteers, NCC and NSS cadets, Scouts and Guides, ex-servicemen, social organisations, civil society representatives, officials and citizens joined the Governor at the concluding programme in Kamrup (M). The padayatra began on September 17 in Cachar and covered Cachar, Sribhumi, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Dhubri, Barpeta, Diphu, Hojai, Kamrup and Kamrup (M) districts.

Addressing participants at the District Library in Guwahati, Acharya said the campaign was not merely an awareness drive but a collective effort to build a healthy and empowered society. Recalling the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary, the Governor stressed values such as truth, self-restraint, cleanliness, discipline and service.

He also paid tribute to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, whose birth anniversary falls on October 2, and recalled his emphasis on simplicity, integrity, discipline and service to the nation. Acharya highlighted the role of young people in preventing substance abuse and called for coordinated efforts by parents, teachers, social and religious organisations, police, administration, media and youth groups.

“Healthy youth can build a healthy society. Value-based youth can build a value-based society and aware and responsible youth can build a developed nation,” he said. Referring to Assam’s development goals, the Governor said a prosperous, healthy, educated, safe and skilled Assam would depend on strengthening human resources and protecting young people from substance abuse.

He thanked students, NCC and NSS cadets, Scouts and Guides, women’s groups, armed forces and police personnel, social organisations and citizens for participating in the campaign.

Acharya urged people to renew their commitment to building a drug-free, healthy and disciplined society as part of the broader vision of Viksit Assam and Viksit Bharat. District Commissioner Swapnil Paul administered the Nasha Mukt Bharat Sankalp pledge to the participants.

Earlier, on Gandhi Jayanti, the Governor visited Gandhi Mandap in Guwahati and paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi. He also planted a sapling on the premises. District Commissioner Swapnil Paul, Joint Commissioner of Police Ankur Jain, GMC Commissioner Chinmoy Prakash Phukan and senior administrative and police officials were present at the programme.