Delhi minister urges universities to declare campuses drug-free zones
In a strong step toward combating substance abuse, Delhi's Social Welfare Minister Ravinder Indraj Singh has written to all vice-chancellors of universities in the capital, urging them to declare their campuses as 'Drug-Free Zones' and form 'Nasha Mukti Clubs' to spread awareness among students.The appeal was made ahead of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, observed annually on June 26. The Minister's letter highlights the vital role educational institutions play in shaping a drug-free future for Delhi.advertisementUNIVERSITIES TO TAKE LEAD IN ANTI-DRUG INITIATIVEThe Minister stated that drug addiction poses a grave threat not just to individuals but also to families and society. In his letter, Singh called on universities to become the 'first line of defence' in preventing drug abuse.
He outlined a number of key actions universities must take:Establishing Nasha Mukti Clubs on each campus to lead peer-driven awareness campaignsDeclaring campuses as Drug-Free Zones, with visible signage and strict enforcement policiesAppointing nodal officers to coordinate all anti-drug effortsUploading all activities and progress reports to the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA) portal for proper monitoringENGAGING STUDENTS THROUGH CREATIVE OUTREACHTo boost participation and awareness, the Minister encouraged universities to organise student-friendly activities. These include street plays, short video competitions, cultural programmes, and sports events to spread the anti-drug message in an engaging way.advertisementStudents, alumni, and even social media influencers have been urged to take part in the campaign, helping to maximise its outreach.A dedicated WhatsApp group for nodal officers will also be created to coordinate efforts and share updates in real-time.The Minister also reminded institutions to enforce the ban on the sale of tobacco products within 100 metres of campus boundaries.DELHI TO HOST MEGA EVENT ON JUNE 26To further promote the cause, the Delhi government organised a large-scale awareness event on June 26 at 9 am at the Yamuna Sports Complex. The event is expected to attract significant participation from students, faculty, and members of civil society.This campaign is part of the nationwide Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, spearheaded by the Government of India to reduce drug demand and create a healthier society.- Ends
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
13 hours ago
- Hans India
Transaction adviser being appointed for PPP model in 11 hospitals
New Delhi: Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said on Friday that the government is working to introduce the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model in 11 hospitals and a transaction adviser is being appointed for the purpose. Speaking to reporters after an inspection at Bawana's Maharshi Valmiki hospital, Singh said the government is committed to implementing the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and address concerns of patients and the doctors. 'We have come across some lapses and shortcomings at Maharshi Valmiki Hospital and I have ordered their resolution within 15 days,' said Singh. He claimed that the Health Department was on the path of recovery after suffering due to mismanagement of the previous AAP government. The Health Minister pointed to delays in construction of an operation theatre at the hospital which has not been completed for over a year, problems with civil works, and shortage of staff. The Delhi Health Minister's visit to the hospital comes a day after the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) booked former health ministers and AAP leaders Saurabh Bharadwaj and Satyendar Jain for alleged corruption in health infrastructure projects involving 24 hospitals and expenditure of Rs 5,590 crore by the Delhi Government. A cheating, breach of trust and conspiracy case was registered after the Centre, on the recommendation of Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena, granted sanction for proceedings against the previous government's minister under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The financial embezzlement linked to the projects, mired in inexplicable delays and astronomical cost overruns, took place in 2018-19, said the official. Massive irregularities, unexplained delays, and significant misappropriation of funds have been found in the construction of various hospitals, polyclinics and ICU infrastructure across the city, said an investigator. Substantial deviations and cost escalations, amounting to several hundred crores, were observed. Not a single project was completed within the prescribed timeline, said the complaint filed on August 22 by the then Leader of Opposition, Vijender Gupta. Gupta had highlighted grave irregularities and suspected corruption in various health infrastructure projects under the GNCTD. The complaint named former Health Ministers Bharadwaj and Jain, alleging systematic manipulation of project budgets, misuse of public funds, and collusion with private contractors.
Indian Express
16 hours ago
- Indian Express
Shefali Jariwala of Kaanta Laga and Big Boss dies of sudden cardiac arrest, say reports: Why women in their 40s are a high-risk group
Actor-performer Shefali Jariwala, who made music videos all about a pop culture statement with Kaanta Laga and featured in the reality show Big Boss, has died of sudden cardiac arrest at age 42. Her family and husband did rush her to hospital but she could not be revived. This young death once again highlights the need to focus on heart attacks in younger women with as much seriousness as those in older, post-menopausal women. A sudden cardiac arrest means a sudden shutdown of the heart's electrical impulses caused by irregular heartbeats. The heart abruptly stops pumping blood, causing a lack of oxygen to the brain and other vital organs. The person dies if not attended to in minutes. 'For long, women in the reproductive age group were thought to be safe as their hormone estrogen is believed to be cardio-protective. But now there are many stressors that a woman faces that raise her risks. So even an apparently fit person can be vulnerable. In fact, there was a time when we cardiologists never thought that heart attacks in young women would be common. Now that the incidence is high, we investigate every complaint of chest pain,' says Dr Balbir Singh, chairman and head, cardiology, Max Healthcare. He highlights how smoking and vaping can increase the risk of heart attacks in women by 34 per cent. 'E-cigarettes contain nicotine which increases heart rate and BP. Then there are substance abuse and frequent popping of oral contraceptive pills, which elevate blood pressure and even change blood fats, lowering high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol and elevating low density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol,' says Dr Singh. Risk factors like diabetes and abnormal cholesterol impact women more than men. Studies have shown that diabetic men have a two to three-fold increased risk of heart disease, while diabetic women have a three to seven-fold increased risk. 'I always insist that women's markers on blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar must be on the lower side of the healthy range,' Dr Singh. An often overlooked risk factor among today's multi-tasking women is stress. Sudden acute stress, both emotional and physical, can rapidly weaken the heart muscle. 'This stimulates production of adrenaline and cortisol, which result in inflammation and subsequent constriction of arteries. This also accelerates plaque formation and blood clots, leading to an unstable angina, heart attack, arrhythmia and sudden cardiac arrest,' says Dr Singh. Most women in their 40s and 50s, if having high BP, blood sugar and cholesterol, tend to develop a tear in their heart vessels called spontaneous coronary artery dissection. 'This could lead to blockages, disruption of blood flow, irregular heartbeats and subsequently cardiac arrest,' says Dr Singh. Sometimes dehydration, when body salts go down, especially potassium and magnesium, can trigger very fatal rhythm disturbances and cause a cardiac arrest. Dr Singh has seen that most women patients report late and do not experience typical chest pain which makes early diagnosis and treatment difficult. 'Compared to men, they tend to ignore preventive heart-check-ups unless they are post-menopause. That's why a lot of underlying conditions go undetected,' says Dr Singh. QUICK CHECK A woman's waist circumference should not be more than 85 cm, triglycerides should not be more than 150 mg/dL, HDL or good cholesterol should not dip below 50 mg/dL, blood pressure should not be more than 130/85 mmHg and fasting blood sugar should no way go higher than 110 mg/dL.
Hindustan Times
21 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Now, digital prescriptions at Lucknow's urban PHCs
Jun 28, 2025 05:06 AM IST Understanding names of medicines on prescriptions from doctors at 48 government urban primary health centres (UPHCs) in Lucknow will no longer be a trouble as a digital format has been introduced by the health department in the state capital. Lucknow's chief medical officer Dr NB Singh got the facility introduced. (For Representation) 'The prescription will be linked with the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) ID of the patient and the digital slip can be printed too, where names of medicines will be visibly clear,' said Lucknow's chief medical officer Dr NB Singh who got the facility introduced. At times, it was troublesome for chemists and patients alike to read handwritten prescriptions. The initiative will not only make it easier for patients to access medicines but will also ensure that their medical records are safely stored. The facility will soon be extended to the remaining 6 UPHCs. Additionally, 108 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs) in urban areas will also adopt this facility. This in particular will be beneficial if the patient needs their medical record in future for treatment. Dr Singh said the digital prescriptions will be received in printed form and hence eliminating the need to decipher handwritten notes. He said these prescriptions will be stored in patients' ABHA IDs, allowing doctors to access their medical history. Moreover, the patients will no longer need to worry about losing their prescription papers.
