UDGAAR : Annual Mega Youth Fest 2019

[Traslate from Hindi] Amar Ujala Hindi News, Updated Sat, 28 Sep 2019 07:58 PM IST:

Key points:

On 06 October Organized in the capital city Delhi at the Indira Gandhi stadium
12,000 youth students will be present.
With 400 students. Eight years ago. It had started.
Delhi NCR is the worlds 3^rd largest drug addiction market.
Speech of motivational speaker Vivek Bindra
Formed Ethicraft clubs in 70 colleges.
The youth must have faith in their own self: Sundar Gopal Das

Only recently an AIIMS, All India Institute of Medical Sciences research report was published. As per that report this year some 70,000 students were victims of addiction to drugs. This report of the National Drug Dependence treatment center is shocking for the country. To rid students of the habit of drug use and abuse, the youth forum of Iskcon International society for Krishna Consciousness in its annual fest namely “udhdhaar” made this a primary focus.

12,000 youth students will be present.

On 6^th October. At the national capital city Delhi. In the Indira Gandhi stadium. In the 9^th session of “Udhdhaar” some 15,000 people will participate. Of which some 12,000 youth students of various colleges from the Delhi NCR will attend. The program will be run post noon from 1.30 PM to 7.00 Pm in the evening.

The start had been made 8 years back with 400 students.

The Director Sundar Gopal Das of the youth forum of ISKCON informed that some 8 years ago the annual program was started as a festival with 400 students. In 2017 the attending students increased to 2500. Further in 2018 when the festival was arranged the number of student attendees was 8000. Last year the theme of the program was “The making of India on humanitarian values”. This year they have started the freedom from drug addiction program.

Irrespective of whether the addiction is to drugs or to social media

Gopal Das says that as per the “Cannabis price index 2018” report, the Delhi NCR is the worlds 3^rd largest drug addiction market. Which is why our main objective this time is to free youth from addiction. Irrespective of whether that addiction is for drugs or for social media. According to him the rapid increase in addiction cannot be stemmed by this program alone. But it can greatly inspire youth against the habit.

The speech of motivational speaker Vivek Bindra

On 6^th October the Udhdhaar program will start with a speech by motivational speaker Vivek Bindra. In which he will tell and explain ways and means to come out of addiction without resort to medication. In his one-hour long presentation, Bindra will set a record too. A record of the largest student audience in a de-addiction program. The Limca book of records has been invited for the purpose.

Program of sand artist Nitish Bharati

In addition to Bindra’s talk, a quiz on a de-addiction program will be organized too. In which some 5000 children from various colleges in Delhi NCR will participate. At the venue, 6 students will be selected for the finals. There at the program, Nitish Bharati will present a live demo of his ability to build profiles – shapes and forms using sand. Also, a theatre show will be presented on the life of Swami Prabhupad the founder of Iskcon. Additionally, in this program, the famous Prince dance group will perform dashavataar. Simultaneously the Madhav rock band will chant mantras.

Athycraft clubs formed in 70 colleges

Gopal das says it is the deficit of information and knowledge that pushes the youth towards addiction. Stress in their lives. Continuously increasing stress from their workload pressures. Also, they think smokers and drinkers look calm relaxed and peaceful. All of these factors take them to addiction. He says that to tackle this problem at the roots he visits colleges weekly and meets students. He says that through his counseling over a thousand students have altogether quit smoking and drugs. He has formed Ethicraft clubs in 70 colleges in Delhi NCR. These help them quit the addiction. Further, as planned personality development courses will be conducted very soon in these clubs.

Youth must have faith in their own self

When asked if he would take the help of religion or dharma in dealing with this kind of problem. He denied and said counseling and dhyaan would suffice in resolving the problem. If the need for medical help or assistance or support of a Doctor be felt we would definitely seek the same from expert specialists. We want to help youth extricate themselves from living disappointed depressed hopeless lives. We want that they have faith in themselves. So that without getting involved in the web of drugs they can reach the peak of their lives.

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