Social awareness program on addiction with a pledge by students to stay away from addiction

Every year, addiction to narcotics, drugs, psychotropic substances results in absence from college, disrupted family life and crime. Mobile phone addiction is known to lead to severe impairment or distress in one’s life. PES University in association with Girinagar Police Station, South Division, Bangalore City organised PESUians Against Intoxication initiative. Hon’ble Additional and Sessions Judge GM Sheenappa spoke about the legal implications of substance abuse and shared his personal experience of sentencing convicted addicts. Mr. Basheer Ahmad Makhandhar, renowned public prosecutor, spoke about his experience of handling cases involving students who were victims of substance abuse and influence of drugs on the students’ lives. Dr. K Raghu, psychiatrist with a rich experience of working in India and UK spoke about the importance of walking in students’ lives, and introduced them to ‘HEARTSAPP’ a mobile app which helps us control our tides of thought through meditation. Mr. Umesh Kumar, Additional Commissioner of Police, and Mr. Vali Basha, Assistant Commissioner of Police were present on the occasion. Mr. Umesh Kumar, an engineering graduate and an IPS officer emphasised that everyone should have a clear ambition which will carry them forward through their career, not allowing them to get distracted from their goal. Dr. Rohini Katoch in her lively speech spoke about how we should help those in need, how we must make informed choices, not blaming anyone else for our decisions, and that we alone are responsible for the choices that we make. Dr. K Raghu’s concluding statement comprised five important advisory rules for the students, to help keep them away from the perils of addiction. Team Nautanki, presented a theatre act on the ill effects of addiction which was followed by a mime portraying how the evil of drugs ruins people’s daily lives. The students took a pledge: “We the students of PES University, solemnly swear that, we will not indulge in addictions, we will not fall prey to vices, and we will stand together as a responsible and sensitive student body and as upstanding citizens of India, in the face of these evils.” Prof. D Jawahar, Pro Chancellor, PES University donated 30 road barricades to the Police Department on the occasion.