Source: HT
Context: The Youth Spiritual Summit concluded in Varanasi with the adoption of the Kashi Declaration, setting a national roadmap for youth-led action against drug abuse.
About Kashi Declaration:
- What It Is?
- The Kashi Declaration is a national action plan adopted at the Youth Spiritual Summit to combat substance abuse through youth and spiritual leadership.
- It emphasizes a multi-dimensional, culturally rooted framework to eliminate drug addiction from Indian society.
- Declared By: Initiated by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports during the Youth Spiritual Summit 2025.
- Objectives of the Declaration
-
- Eradicate Drug Abuse: Create a Nasha Mukt Yuva as the foundation of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
- Spiritual Mobilisation: Use India’s spiritual capital as a catalyst for healing and transformation.
- Whole-of-Society Approach: Integrate families, communities, and institutions into prevention and recovery.
- Institutional Coordination: Facilitate action through a Joint National Committee and regular reporting.
- Empower Youth Volunteers: Enable youth clubs under the MY Bharat platform to lead awareness and de-addiction campaigns.
- Features of the Declaration:
-
- Plenary-Driven Agenda: Built on four thematic sessions covering psychology, trafficking, awareness, and spiritual rehab.
- Multi-Ministerial Action Plan: Involves Ministries of Youth, Social Justice, Culture, Labour, and Home Affairs.
- Annual Review Mechanism: Includes progress tracking via Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026.
- Digital Platform Monitoring: Proposes counter-measures against online targeting of school children.
- Community-Based Outreach: Launches grassroots campaigns, pledge drives, and support services via MY Bharat.
