Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan 5th Anniversary: A Milestone in India’s Fight Against Substance Abuse
On 8 August 2025, an unprecedented event shall be hosted in Delhi at Dr, Ambedkar International Centre, at 15 Janpath, to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA), that transformative campaign against substance abuse by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The event begins at 9:00AM and will be a fun day of festivities and cultural activities. It will include hundreds of sisters from Brahma Kumaris tied rakhis onto nearly 400 CRPF jawans and officers as a show of commitment and protection in the fight for a drug-free India. Under the leadership of Union Minister, Dr. Virendra Kumar, there is a major pledge ceremony to demonstrate the nation’s commitment to eradicating drug abuse. As we celebrate India’s 78th Independence Day, this event supports the theme Viksit Bharat ka Mantra, Bharat ho Nashe se Swatantra, because a drug-free India is the base of a developed nation. NMBA has also planned a month-long event with the first major pledge activity on August 13 at Kendriya Vidyalaya, New Delhi, which will encourage millions more individuals to adopt a drug-free future.
A Movement Rooted in Community and Commitment
Starting on August 15, 2020, the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan has turned into a nation-wide movement, originally intended to reach 272 vulnerable districts, now covering all districts across India. The initiative has been notable with its three-pronged approach, reducing supply (Narcotics Control Bureau), reducing demand (Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment), and providing treatment (Health Departments) and progress is being made. Thus far, over 18.07 crore people (including 6.01 crore youth and 4.08 crore women) sensitized to the risks of substance abuse. In addition, 4.84 lakh educational institutions have taking part, over 20,000 Master Volunteer were trained. 1.67 crore students participated from 99,595 institutions and pledged to lead a drug-free life. Each of these statistics demonstrates the depth of the campaign which reached a sense of awareness and accountability within communities.
The Delhi event has a theme of Raksha Bandhan which will link a cultural representation to a social reform. The meaning of tying rakhis to CRPF personnel demonstrates this shared responsibility to protect society against the adversity of addiction.
Participants will be from students to community leaders, with the mass pledge, initiated by Dr. Virendera Kumar some time back, working to commit to living a drug free life, promoting the message of personal and societal responsibility for drug free living. The event will lay the foundation for a month of activities across the country, including rallies, workshops, and awareness activities to encourage ongoing action towards a drug free India.
Achievements That Inspire
The NMBA’s footprint has undoubtedly been felt. Through utilizing the collaboration of over 500 voluntary organisations as part of the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), the campaign has reached a variety of communities, both urban and rural; nearly 8000 youth volunteers and outreach workers have been involved in the campaign face to face at the door of local communities in their own neighbourhoods to educate people about the impacts of substance misuse, both psychological, social and physical. The NMBA campaign’s community interactions have benefited from the digital tools provided through the NMBA Mobile Application (available on Google Play Store), Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, making it much tool much more accessible to millions. The national helpline, 14446, is now available for immediate assistance for anyone wanting access to de-addiction services, and it assures them that no one is lost or left behind.
The Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan has organized awareness programs covering over 18.07 crore people with the overall vision to create awareness about substance abuse in our society. The campaign has involved 6.01 crore youth empowering them to lead drug-free lifestyles. The campaign has engaged 4.08 crore women community development towards rehabilitation efforts. The campaign has mobilized 4.84 lakh educational institutions to carry out prevention measures in schools/colleges. More than 20,000 Master Volunteers were trained to lead the local efforts towards this important fight. In addition to this, 1.67 crore pledged to be drug-free students in 99,595 institutions pledged to be drug-free strengthening the amendments of the campaign.
The data presented did not have any flaws presenting from the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, demonstrates the upcoming paradigm change in substance abuse social norms and attitudes according to these milestones. Moreover, youth clubs, women groups, and higher education institutions will participate in shaping prevention opportunities while allowing sustained participation over the next several years. It is particularly important to be responsive to the National Comprehensive Survey stating that over 60 million Indians are addicted to substances, many of them aged 10 to 17.
A Vision for a Drug-Free India
The 5th anniversary event is more than just an anniversary celebration; it is a call to action. With the added involvement of Brahma Kumaris, who signed a MoU in March 2023 with the Ministry to increase outreach, the power of community partnerships is being realized. Their ability to share the message across their national network will be pivotal in reaching people — particularly youth, who are seen as a key element in India’s progress. Notably the campaign is actively working to reduce stigma and promote acceptance, thereby enabling those involved with addiction to receive support rather than judgement.
Following the events of the launch will be a national mass pledge on August 13 at Kendriya Vidyalaya, New Delhi, where students, educators, and participants from NCC, NYKS, etc. will join together both online and offline, to recommit to the pledge. Posts are mounting up as visible momentum is building to urge citizens to take the e-pledge through the NMBA website (nmba.dosje.gov.in) and also be a part of local events during the month of August. These initiatives are part of a larger vision of creating India as a global leader– Vishwa Guru — in creating a society that is rooted in health, happiness, and spiritual values as stated by Dr Virendra Kumar earlier at a previous NMBA event in Rajasthan.
The Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan is more than a campaign, it’s a movement to enable communities to reclaim lives from addiction. It combines cultural practices like Raksha Bandhan with modern means like digital pledges and helplines, establishing a connection between the past and the present. For families, students, and policymakers, this event strengthens the idea that a drug-free India is achievable if we work together. With Delhi as the home to this major celebration, it calls on every citizen to become part of the fight, take the pledge, and create a stronger and healthier country — one step, one pledge at a time.
