Sajjad Hussain
New Delhi, Apr 9 : Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Thursday urged the youth of Jammu and Kashmir to stay away from drugs, asserting that a healthy youth population is the foundation of a strong and progressive nation.
Addressing a 250-member youth delegation from the Union Territory at Uprashtrapati Bhavan here, the Vice President, as per news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS), said drugs can destroy young lives and derail aspirations.
“Stay away from drugs and encourage your peers to do the same,” VP Radhakrishnan told the delegation participating in the ‘Watan Ko Jano’ programme organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Vice President lauded the youth of J&K for excelling in Civil Services, IIT, and IIM entrance examinations. He also highlighted the progress in women’s empowerment and the Ranji Trophy victory of the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team as positive indicators of the region’s direction.
He urged the youth to believe in their abilities, remain connected to their roots, and work collectively to make Jammu and Kashmir a symbol of harmony and growth for the nation.
Recalling his visit to Srinagar last month, he spoke about witnessing significant progress in women’s development in the Union Territory.
Notably, the ‘Watan Ko Jano’ programme, an initiative by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, aims to foster national integration by providing youth with an opportunity to explore different parts of the country. (KNS)

