MY Bharat-NSS Launches Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan: Key Highlights for UPSC & State PCS

10 Oct MY Bharat-NSS Launches Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan: Key Highlights for UPSC & State PCS

✎ The Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan is a government-led, youth-centric campaign under MY Bharat and NSS, combining prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation to combat substance abuse through community engagement and participatory…

Subject Relevance — Where This Topic Fits

• GS Paper II — Governance, Transparency and Accountability (Citizen Participation)  |  GS Paper III — Social Justice (Youth Welfare, Substance Abuse Prevention)  |  GS Paper IV — Ethics in Governance (Public Service Delivery, Social Impact)
• Prelims: Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan, MY Bharat (Mera Yuva Bharat), National Service Scheme (NSS), Substance Abuse Prevention, Yuva Sanwad Mela, Community Engagement, Social Justice, Youth Welfare
• Essay: Role of youth in nation-building: Challenges and opportunities, Community participation as a tool for social change

Quick Revision: The Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan is a government-led, youth-centric campaign under MY Bharat and NSS, combining prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation to combat substance abuse through community engagement and participatory governance.

Why is this in the news?

The MY Bharat–NSS initiative has completed its first month of the Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan (Drug-Free Youth Campaign), culminating in a nationwide ‘Yuva Sanwad Mela’ that engaged over 1.06 lakh participants. This initiative represents a structured approach to youth engagement, substance abuse prevention, and grassroots governance, aligning with the broader objectives of MY Bharat as a citizen-centric platform for youth development and national integration.

Background

• The National Service Scheme (NSS) was launched in 1969 under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to foster youth participation in nation-building through community service.
• MY Bharat (Mera Yuva Bharat) is a citizen-centric platform launched in October 2023 to empower youth aged 15-29 through skill development, leadership, and community engagement.
• Substance abuse among youth is a critical public health challenge in India, with the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) indicating rising trends in tobacco, alcohol, and drug use among adolescents and young adults.
• The Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan is a central government initiative under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, aimed at creating awareness, providing rehabilitation, and preventing substance abuse among youth.
• Community engagement through ‘Yuva Sanwad Melas’ (Youth Dialogue Fairs) is a key strategy to bridge the gap between policymakers and beneficiaries, ensuring inclusive and participatory governance.
• The integration of MY Bharat and NSS under this campaign reflects a multi-stakeholder approach involving government agencies, civil society, and youth volunteers to address social issues.

What is the Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan under MY Bharat–NSS?

• Initiative launched as part of MY Bharat (Mera Yuva Bharat) to promote a drug-free youth culture through awareness, prevention, and rehabilitation.
• Implemented in collaboration with the National Service Scheme (NSS), leveraging its extensive network of 3.8 million student volunteers across 39,000 institutions.
• Aims to sensitize 2.5 crore youth annually on the dangers of substance abuse through workshops, street plays, and community dialogues.
• Focuses on three pillars: Prevention (awareness campaigns), Intervention (early identification and support), and Rehabilitation (access to de-addiction services).
• The ‘Yuva Sanwad Mela’ serves as a platform for direct interaction between youth, experts, and policymakers to discuss challenges and solutions related to substance abuse.
• Incorporates digital tools, including the MY Bharat portal and mobile apps, to track participation, disseminate information, and provide real-time support.
• Aligned with the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) 2018, which emphasizes community-based approaches to substance abuse prevention.
• Targets marginalized and vulnerable youth groups, including those in tribal areas, urban slums, and conflict zones, ensuring equitable outreach.

UPSC Value Addition

Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan (NMYA):
1. It is a centrally sponsored scheme under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
2. The initiative is aligned with the National Youth Policy 2021.
3. The programme includes a nationwide ‘Yuva Sanwad Mela’ as a key engagement activity.
4. The scheme is implemented exclusively through State Governments without any involvement of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

How many of the above statements are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All

Answer: Only three — Statements 1, 2, and 3 are correct as NMYA is a centrally sponsored scheme under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, aligned with the National Youth Policy 2021, and includes ‘Yuva Sanwad Mela’ as a key activity. Statement 4 is incorrect as NGOs and other stakeholders are involved in implementation.

Q2. Assertion (A): The Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan (NMYA) aims to create awareness about the ill effects of substance abuse among youth.
Reason (R): The scheme mandates the establishment of de-addiction centres in every district of India.

In the context of the above two statements, which one of the following is correct?

1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
2. Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
3. A is true but R is false
4. A is false but R is true

Answer: A is true but R is false — Assertion (A) is true as NMYA aims to raise awareness about substance abuse among youth. However, Reason (R) is false because the scheme does not mandate the establishment of de-addiction centres in every district; it focuses on awareness, community engagement, and preventive measures.

Q3. Which of the following best describes the primary objective of the ‘Yuva Sanwad Mela’ organised under the Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan?
A. To provide vocational training to unemployed youth
B. To facilitate direct dialogue between youth and policymakers on substance abuse prevention
C. To distribute free de-addiction medicines to affected individuals
D. To conduct medical camps for mental health assessment

1. A
2. B
3. C
4. D

Answer: B — The ‘Yuva Sanwad Mela’ is designed as a platform for direct dialogue between youth and policymakers to discuss issues related to substance abuse prevention, awareness, and community engagement.

Mains Practice Question

✍ The Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan (NMYA) represents a multi-pronged approach to address substance abuse among youth in India. Critically examine the constitutional and policy framework underpinning NMYA, with particular reference to the role of the National Youth Policy 2021 and the National Social Service (NSS). Also, assess the significance of community participation in ensuring the success of such preventive health initiatives. (15 Marks)

Approach: A structured answer must cover the following dimensions:

1. **Constitutional and Policy Framework**:
– Reference to Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), particularly Article 39(f) and Article 47, which mandate the State to protect and improve public health.
– The National Youth Policy 2021 as a guiding framework for youth-centric interventions, including substance abuse prevention.
– The role of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in designing and implementing NMYA.

2. **Institutional Mechanisms**:
– The National Social Service (NSS) as a vehicle for youth engagement in community service, including awareness campaigns.
– The involvement of multiple stakeholders such as educational institutions, NGOs, and local governance bodies (Panchayati Raj Institutions, Urban Local Bodies).

3. **Community Participation**:
– Define community participation in the context of public health (e.g., WHO’s Alma-Ata Declaration, 1978).
– Explain how NMYA leverages community participation through activities like ‘Yuva Sanwad Mela’ to foster ownership and sustainability.
– Cite examples of successful community-led initiatives in India (e.g., ‘Sankalp Se Siddhi’ under Swachh Bharat Mission).

4. **Challenges and Way Forward**:
– Discuss challenges such as stigma associated with substance abuse, lack of awareness, and resource constraints.
– Highlight the need for long-term behavioural change communication strategies.
– Suggest measures like integrating NMYA with school curricula, strengthening grassroots-level monitoring, and fostering public-private partnerships.

5. **Conclusion**:
– Summarise the importance of a holistic, participatory approach in addressing youth substance abuse, with NMYA as a model for other health interventions.

Source: PIB (Press Information Bureau)

Generated by AanyaAi for educational purpose.

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