Manipal Academy of Higher Education conducted workshop on “Role of Students in making Udupi Nasha Mukt” as a part of a nationwide Government campaign

Bengaluru: Manipal Academy of Higher Education’s Department of Student Affairs (DSA) in association with the Department of Commerce (DOC), MAHE conducted a workshop on the “Role of Students in making Udupi Nasha Mukt” for the students of DOC on 17th November 2021, as a part of the project “Nasha Mukt Udupi Abhiyaan by involving Young Leaders of MAHE” which is a part of the nationwide Government campaign “Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan”. The workshop addressed crucial issues related to substance abuse among youth and had around 500 participants.

Shri. Kurma Rao, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Udupi, was the chief guest for the inaugural function of the workshop. While addressing the students, Shri. Kurma Rao hailed MAHE as the pride of the Udupi District and praised the efforts undertaken by the university in helping the district administration to manage the COVID crisis. He appreciated Dr. Geetha Maiya and her team for undertaking the campaign and the DOC student council members for joining the noble cause. He also assured his help in conducting all Nasha Mukt Udupi activities. He ended his address by urging the students to stay away from drugs and to make positive memories by engaging in campus activities.

Dr. Narayana Sabhahit, Registrar, MAHE presided over the event, and in his presidential address, he expressed his pleasure in seeing the students back on campus after almost 18 months. Acknowledging the difficulty for administrators to identify afflicted students, Dr. Sabhahit emphasized the importance of peer support in helping their fellow students to curb the menace of drug abuse.

Dr. Sandeep Shenoy, Head of DOC spoke about the alarming trend of drug abuse in India and expressed his pleasure that the DOC students have joined hands with DSA to combat this menace on campus.

Dr. Vinod C. Nayak, Professor, Dept. of Forensic Medicine & Coordinator, Centre for Clinical and Innovative Forensics Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, was the keynote speaker. Dr. Nayak elaborated on the hazardous effects of different kinds of drugs and gave special emphasis on the stringent legal repercussions of drug abuse. Urging the students to stay away from drugs, he quoted, “Opposite of addiction is not sobriety but a positive connection with peers.”

Dr. Geetha Maiya, Director, Student Affairs & Principal Investigator, Nasha Mukt Udupi Abhiyaan Project, launched the DOC chapter of Nasha Mukt club at MAHE and administered the oath for core committee members of the club. Dr. Maiya also motivated the students by giving them tips on how to emerge from problems that they may encounter in student life. Giving an overview of the Nasha Mukt Udupi Abhiyaan, she urged all students to participate in all Nasha Mukt activities. Dr. Binil V, Associate Professor, Manipal College of Nursing & Co-Principal Investigator, Nasha Mukt Udupi Abhiyaan Project, administered the Nasha Mukt Bharat oath to all the students present on the occasion.

This event has invigorated DSA to continue its efforts to build a drug-free society. In the coming month, DSA will be conducting a Peer Support workshop for 105 students across all institutes of MAHE, who will then join the project to conduct awareness programs in 10 selected villages of the Udupi District.