Calls upon students to lead India’s development journey and ensure a drug-free academic environment
Natika Bhat
Awantipora July 24: Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha, delivered a compelling address at the Viksit Bharat Yuva Connect Program organized at the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Awantipora. The event is part of a national initiative aimed at empowering young minds to actively participate in India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047.
In his keynote address, the Lieutenant Governor emphasized that youth are the key drivers of India’s progress and that their involvement in governance, innovation, and social reform is essential for building a strong and inclusive nation.
The Viksit Bharat Yuva Connect initiative, launched by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, aims to bridge the gap between young citizens and policymakers. Through platforms like MY Bharat, the program encourages structured dialogue, participatory governance, and leadership development.
The Lieutenant Governor highlighted the four pillars of the initiative — Engage, Encourage, Enable, and Inspire — and called upon students to embody these values as they step forward to shape national policies and solve pressing challenges.
He urged the youth to adopt Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Panch Pran — the five pledges that include developing India, removing any trace of colonial mindset, taking pride in heritage, unity, and fulfilling duties as citizens.
“This is the time for our universities to become engines of change. IUST must now work on establishing a semiconductor lab to contribute to national innovation,” he added.
A significant portion of the Lieutenant Governor’s speech was dedicated to addressing the issue of drug abuse among youth. He reiterated the administration’s firm resolve to make all universities in Jammu and Kashmir drug-free.
He proposed strong preventive measures to combat drug abuse in educational institutions, emphasizing the establishment of “Say No to Drugs” student committees in every university, supervised by faculty members. He also recommended making an anti-drug pledge mandatory at the time of admission to instill responsibility from the outset. To ensure early intervention, he suggested creating confidential reporting systems and promoting access to mental health support through helplines such as Tele-MANAS.
Additionally, he called for the integration of drug awareness and de-addiction education into academic curricula to create sustained awareness among students.
The event also featured the release of IUST’s Institutional Development Plan (IDP), which aligns the university’s academic and administrative goals with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. Vice Chancellor Prof. Shakil Ahmad Romshoo shared a presentation detailing the university’s reforms in research, academics, outreach, and governance.
The Lieutenant Governor felicitated winners of pre-event activities, including the Viksit Bharat Youth Parliament and debate competitions. He also administered the Viksit Bharat Shapath — a pledge by students and faculty to commit themselves to national progress.
A student-led session titled Yuva Samvad encouraged open dialogue on civic responsibilities, national development, and societal challenges. The program concluded with the screening of Sardar @150, a video tribute to the life and contributions of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, emphasizing the values of unity and integrity.
The event was attended by Shri Shantmanu, Additional Chief Secretary, Higher Education Department; Shri Basharat Qayoom, Deputy Commissioner Pulwama; senior university officials including Prof. A.H. Moon (Dean Academic Affairs) and Prof. Abdul Wahid (Registrar), alongside faculty members, students, and HoDs of various departments.
The main national-level event of the Viksit Bharat Yuva Connect will be held on August 12, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to interact with students from over 1,300 universities across India.
