Dr. Balbir Singh reviews ongoing padyatras under Yudh Nasheyan Virudh 2.0, focusing on rehabilitation, skill training, and community participation.

Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh evaluated the status of ongoing Padyatras being organized in villages under Yudh Nasheyan Virudh 2.0  in an effort to fully eradicate the drug problem from the state, as directed by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann. Using a video conference, the Health Minister was presiding over a meeting with Deputy Commissioners.

Dr. Balbir Singh emphasized the importance of long-term community involvement while also stressing the need to make these padyatras inclusive and powerful, signaling a change from an enforcement-led strategy to a massive popular movement.

Dr. Balbir Singh ordered all Deputy Commissioners to work with ITIs, Krishi Vikas Kendras, NGOs, and industries to offer job-oriented skills training to people recovering from drug addiction, emphasizing the value of empowering individuals for long-term recovery and social acceptance. “Skill development and livelihood opportunities are crucial for successful rehabilitation and reintegration,” he stated.

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In order to ensure that as many communities as possible are mobilized for the padyatras, Dr. Balbir Singh asked the Deputy Commissioners to emphasize that the campaign is independent of any political party and is not associated with electoral gains. The goal of this project is to save the next generation. We must put aside all political and other prejudices in order to secure a drug-free Punjab for such a worthy purpose,” he stated.

The Minister emphasized the significance of stigma reduction, saying that since societal stigma is still one of the main obstacles keeping drug addicts from getting treatment and rehabilitation, these padyatras are an essential part of the government’s Stigma Reduction initiative. He urged everyone in society to get involved and turn this effort into a widespread movement.

Sanyam Aggarwal, the CEO of the State Health Agency and Nodal Officer of the Mental Health Program, Dr. Anil Goyal, the Director of ESI, and Dr. Jatinder Kansal and Dr. Surinder Kaur, the Deputy CEOs of SHA, were among the other high-ranking officials who attended the conference.