National Conference Provincial President Mr Devender Singh Rana today underscored the need for launching a two-pronged strategy for combating the negative influences luring young children towards drugs alongside a forceful drive against the drug peddlers.
“It is time for the government to bring a legislation proposing death for the drug peddlers as the menace has attained alarming proportions”, Mr Rana said while speaking at the Annual Day function of Chandi Public School, Ghorda in Mathwar area of Nagrota Assembly Constituency.
The Provincial President said education and educational institutions can play a counterbalancing role in keeping young people away from the negative influences like drugs and other social evils. He said the educational institutions and the parents can make conditions conducive for proper and healthy growth of children by engaging in frequent interactions. He sought proactive role of parents in their child’s education and shaping him or her as a disciplined and responsible citizen.
“Together, the teachers and parents can adopt a harm minimisation approach to acquaint children about devastating effects of drugs”, Mr Rana said while recalling the time tested adage that teachers are well placed to provide necessary knowledge and guidance to their students for making their own decisions”, Mr Rana said while stressing the need for engaging young people in drug education activities, which will eventually lead them to make healthy and sound choices. He even went on to suggest that drug education should be made part of curriculum and extra curricular activities in order to have lasting impact on the young minds. While media and family can also supplement the effort, the schools could be agents of change in combating drug addiction, which has taken toll of many young lives, he said.
Urging students to be part of various extracurricular activities, Mr Rana said this will keep them in good stead in the most competitive world. He said sports alongside academics are pivotal for overall growth of children and the institutions engaged in child development should make a healthy balance in both. He also exhorted students to aim high as sky was the limit for those who work with a sense of devotion and dedication.
The Provincial President complimented the management for creating adequate infrastructure for imparting quality education and engaging students in sports and other activities. He hoped that thrust would laid in encouraging students to participate in inter school events in a bid to inculcate spirit of competition in them .
Principal Mr Sunil Kumar presented the annual report and gave a resume of activities in academic excellence achieved and other events carried out during the session.
On the occasion the young students presented a variety programme depicting various facets of Jammu and Kashmir’s rich ethos.
Mr Rana congratulated the participants and other students for their performance.
Besides teachers, students and parents, prominent among those present in the Annual Day function included Chairman of the Chandi Public School, Mr Tilak Raj, Chairperson BDC Mathwar Mrs. Sharifan Bibi, Mr. Kuldep Singh Jamwal, Mr Kuldeep Singh (Retd ZEO), Sarpanch Gorda Mr Ashwani Kumar, Mr Mohd Anwar Ex- Sarpanch, Sarpanch Mr Sain Khan, Sarpanch Mr Nakshatar Singh, Sarpanch Mr Sanjeev Singh, Mr. Sonu Singh, Mrs. Rekha Langeh, Mr Tejpal Singh, Mr. Dayal Singh (Lucky) and others