New Delhi: HL September 9, 2026
The Government of India has strengthened its campaign against substance abuse by bringing four prominent spiritual organisations into the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA). The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Adhyatm Vigyan Satsang Kendra, Chinmaya Mission, Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan and Hare Krishna Movement in New Delhi on Wednesday.
The MoUs were signed in the presence of Shri Sudhansh Pant, Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, along with Dr. Sandeep R. Rathod, Joint Secretary (Drug Prevention), senior government officials and representatives of the participating organisations.
The agreements aim to use the extensive grassroots networks of spiritual and value-based organisations to expand drug-prevention awareness, community mobilisation, recovery support and social outreach across different sections of society.
Government and Spiritual Organisations Join Hands
Shri Astik Kumar Pandey, Director (Drug Prevention), signed the MoUs on behalf of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment.
The participating organisations were represented by Shri Chandra Singh of Adhyatm Vigyan Satsang Kendra, Smt. Prema Vishwanath of Chinmaya Mission, Sadhvi Shitabha Bharti of Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan and Shri Fateh Chand Sharma of Hare Krishna Movement.
Addressing the gathering, Secretary Sudhansh Pant highlighted the important role that spiritual organisations can play in creating a sustained social movement against substance abuse. He said their strong community presence can help take the message of prevention and recovery to people at the grassroots level.
According to the Ministry, initiatives undertaken collectively under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan have already helped reach more than 34.42 crore citizens.
Focus on Prevention, Recovery and Reducing Stigma
The new partnerships are intended to go beyond awareness campaigns by encouraging a broader community-based approach to substance-abuse prevention.
Spiritual organisations can contribute through activities such as yoga, meditation, spiritual counselling, value-based education and community engagement. Such initiatives can help promote resilience among individuals and families while encouraging people affected by substance-use disorders to seek professional treatment, rehabilitation and support.
The Ministry also stressed the importance of reducing the stigma surrounding substance use disorders. Greater community understanding, compassion and early intervention can encourage affected individuals and their families to seek timely assistance.
Expanding the Network of Spiritual Organisations
The four new partners join a growing network of spiritual and social organisations associated with the Ministry’s anti-drug campaign.
The Ministry has previously entered into MoUs with organisations including The Art of Living, Brahma Kumaris, Sant Nirankari Mission, ISKCON, Shri Ram Chandra Mission, All World Gayatri Pariwar, Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwantari Ashram and the University of Patanjali.
The partnerships reflect the government’s effort to combine institutional programmes with the reach of community and spiritual organisations to create greater public awareness about the dangers of substance abuse.
Anti-Drug Pledge Administered
During the programme, Secretary Sudhansh Pant administered an Anti-Drug Pledge to representatives of the participating organisations.
The organisations were encouraged to administer the pledge during their major programmes, public gatherings and other events to strengthen collective commitment towards creating a drug-free society.
The Ministry also screened three short films highlighting the harmful effects of substance abuse and the importance of rehabilitation and recovery for people affected by drug addiction.
Participants were further informed about initiatives available through the NMBA portal, including registration as Nasha Mukti Mitra and taking the E-Pledge.
Spirituality and Social Responsibility in the Fight Against Drugs
The latest MoUs underline an increasingly community-oriented approach to India’s fight against substance abuse. By combining government programmes with the grassroots presence of spiritual and social organisations, the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan seeks to strengthen prevention, awareness, counselling, rehabilitation and social mobilisation.
The Ministry said the expanding network would reinforce the collective resolve to build a Nasha Mukt Bharat and contribute to the broader vision of a Viksit Bharat.
