The 41st Raising Day of the Narcotics Control Bureau was commemorated with a Drug Misuse Awareness Program under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan on 17th March 2026 at the ACS Convention Centre, RRMCH. The event was organized by RajaRajeswari Group of Institutions in association with Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Narcotics Control Bureau, and Disha Bodh Foundation.
The program was conducted under the guidance of the institution’s leadership, including Chairman Dr. A.C. Shanmugam, President Sri. A.C.S. Arun Kumar, Chairperson Smt. Lalitha Lakshmi, Executive Director Dr. S. Vijayanand, CEO Sri Seetharam IAS (Retd.), Dean Dr. Sathyamurthy B, Principal Dr. Basavaraj Bhandare, Advisor Dr. S. Naveen, Medical Superintendent Dr. Praveen Kumar, Dean (RRDCH) Dr. Edwin Devadoss, Dean (RRCP) Dr. P Balasubramanian, Principal (RRCN) Dr. Jagadish TJ, Principal (RRIAHS) Dr. Nalini, Principal (RRIPMS) Dr. Latha.
The institution had the privilege of hosting eminent speakers including Dr. Bhagawan BC, Vice Chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences; Sri Sachin Ghorpade IPS, Zonal Director of the Narcotics Control Bureau; and Sri Madhu N Rao, Advocate, Senior Standing Counsel and Special Public Prosecutor for DRI, DGGI, CBIC, and ED, Government of India.
The event commenced with an energetic Walkathon—the rally organized by NCB—aimed at creating awareness about drug misuse and its adverse effects, while promoting the message of “Say No to Drugs.” The rally witnessed enthusiastic participation from dignitaries, students, faculty, and staff, making it a meaningful and impactful initiative.
Dr. Sathyamurthy, Dean, formally welcomed the gathering and introduced the objectives of the Raising Day program. This was followed by the felicitation of the distinguished speakers by the dignitaries on stage.
In his address, the Vice Chancellor of RGUHS appreciated the efforts of the Narcotics Control Bureau and emphasized the “Nasha Mukt Bharat – Yuva Shudhi Abhiyan.” He highlighted the MoU with RGUHS, under which awareness programs were conducted across 13 districts through 16 events, reaching over 77,000 students and 1,500 teachers. He urged students to pledge against drug abuse, promote a healthy campus, and noted that 10,000–12,000 students have also pledged for organ donation.
Sri. Sachin Ghorpade shared that the Nasha Mukt Bharat initiative began in 1986 and highlighted key achievements, including 1.5 lakh cases booked, over 2 lakh arrests, and the seizure of 6.5 lakh kg of drugs. He cautioned students about the legal consequences of drug possession, misuse of personal information, and emphasized that possession itself is a serious offense punishable by 10–20 years of imprisonment. He also encouraged the use of the Manas 1933 helpline to seek help and support.
Sri. Madhu. N. Rao spoke about the daily challenges faced in combating drug abuse, drawing from his professional experiences. He encouraged students to remain vigilant, resist drug use, and take responsibility in preventing substance misuse among peers.
The session also featured an informative presentation by Sri. Vikas Singh, Sub-Inspector, NCB, representing Disha Bodh Foundation, who highlighted the severe and long-term effects of drug abuse. He emphasized that recovery from addiction is difficult, reinforcing the importance of prevention and awareness.
The event concluded with a Vote of Thanks delivered by Smt. Kanthi Shetty of Disha Bodh Foundation, bringing the program to a meaningful close.
