IMPHAL, Dec 20: All Manipur Anti-Drugs Association (AMADA) today celebrated its 5th foundation day under the theme “Let us save our threatened identity from narcotic imperialism†at Temple of Learning, Canchipur, Imphal.
The foundation day was attended by education minister L. Jayentakumar, vice-president of AMADA Head Office, Y. Sundari Leima, MLA of Singjamei assembly constituency, I. Hemochandra, Ch. Jotin, Principal of Temple of Learning, and RK Ibungosana, superintendent of NCB Imphal Regional Unit, as the chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively.
Addressing the gathering at the foundation day celebration, the education minister L. Jayentakumar made a clarion call to the people to join hands to curb the menace of drug abuse in the state.
He said that human resource development plays an important role in today’s highly competitive world, but drugs pose serious threats to the development of the society. However, the menace of drug abuse can be tackled through education and it is also the only effective way to bring utmost development to the society, Jayentakumar noted.
The education minister asserted that the government has sanctioned huge amount of fund for imparting education at different levels. Right from their infancy stage the children are taken care by the social welfare department through Anganwadi (Crèche) Centres and at their primary stage the education department is looking after their education through schemes like Sarva Sikshya Abhiyan (SSA) under which mid-day meal, free books and free uniforms are provided to them. The students are then taken care of their secondary education by Rashtriya Madhyamik Sikshya Abhiyan (RMSA). Even if the children could not avail education facilities under SSA and RMSA the adult education department then provides education at their adulthood, he noted.
Jayentakumar further stated that the government has prioritized education and at every level education is being imparted to the children. Education will enlighten the minds of the youths and help them live a healthy life free from drugs, he added.
He also appealed to the youths to have determination and courage to achieve the goals in their life and make the Manipuri society free from drugs.
MLA I. Hemochandra stated that charity begins at home and so every one should begin the anti-drugs campaign right from his or her own household. If the people are aware of harmful effects of drugs, then there will be no need for any organization or government to undertake the anti-drugs movement.
He said that cigarette smoking has been reduced drastically owing to stern campaigns launched by various NGOs and social organizations and likewise the menace of drugs abuse can be tackled effectively with active participation from all sections of the society.
Delivering the presidential address, the vice-president of AMADA Y. Sundari Leima stated that All Manipur Anti-Drugs Association was formed in 2005 with the objective of making Manipur a healthy and drugs free state. The youths of the state have been adversely affected by drugs abuse owing to its proximity to the international Indo-Myanmar border, she said.
Everyone should join hands in the anti-drugs campaign of AMADA to save the threatened identity of the Manipuris from narcotic imperialism, she enjoined.
A mega health quiz to be telecast on ISTV from January next year was also inaugurated by the chief guest Jayentakumar today on the occasion of AMADA’s foundation day.