Make India drug-free, build stronger future for youth: PM in Mann ki Baat address
In his Mann Ki Baat radio speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to support a drug-free India and highlighted the PM SVANidhi scheme. His remarks linked youth welfare with women's economic empowerment through a growing street vendor support programme.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday called on people to join hands to make India free of drug abuse and build a stronger future for the youth. In his monthly radio programme, 'Mann Ki Baat', he said the 'Drug-Free Youth for a Developed India' campaign is gathering momentum across the country.
PM Modi also highlighted the PM SVANidhi Yojana for street vendors, saying it is helping lakhs of women expand their businesses, raise their incomes and secure a better future for their families. He said a large share of the scheme's beneficiaries are women and that this aspect of women's empowerment does not get the attention it deserves.
Speaking about the anti-drug campaign, the Prime Minister said, "Its goal is crystal clear - drug-free youth, drug-free India. Let us come together to build a drug-free India and a stronger future for our youth." The government's 'Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan' is a flagship initiative launched on August 15, 2020 under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction.
The campaign aims to prevent substance abuse through awareness, community participation, treatment, rehabilitation, aftercare and social reintegration, while building a nationwide movement against drug abuse.
Referring to the PM SVANidhi scheme, PM Modi said millions of mothers and sisters are gaining new strength through it. "Nearly 46 percent of the beneficiaries of the 'PM SVANidhi Scheme' are women. That means around 35 lakh women across the country are connecting with this scheme to advance their businesses," he said.
Launched in June 2020, the PM SVANidhi scheme was designed to help street vendors overcome financial difficulties and restart businesses hit during the Covid pandemic. Since its launch, the scheme has gone beyond financial assistance by giving street vendors a sense of identity and formal recognition for their contribution to the economy. Initially rolled out till December 31, 2024, it has now been extended till March 31, 2030.
PM Modi is currently on a state visit to Uzbekistan. The radio programme is usually recorded a few days in advance and broadcast on the last Sunday of every month. In his address, he underlined the need for a drug-free India and pointed to the role of the PM SVANidhi scheme in supporting women street vendors across the country.