Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, May 13: A seminar on Drug Addiction was jointly organised by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Police and Hotel & Restaurant Association, Katra at Spiritual Growth Centre here today.
Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shri Board, speaking on the occasion, said that it is extremely important to sensitize general population on crucial issue like Drug Addiction. He said that such seminars can go a long way in enlarging awareness about Drug Addiction and its negative fallouts. He said that the problem of Drug Addiction is required to be addressed very seriously and effectively and all the stakeholders need to contribute their efforts in this regard. In this context, he underscored the important role which the students can play in extending awareness about Drug Addiction. He felt the need for concerted efforts to organise de-addiction camps and more targeted approach apart from creating general awareness in the public.
Dr. Shahid Iqbal, Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, observed that Drug Addiction has very serious consequences for the society at large. He lauded the initiative of the organisers for holding this seminar with a view to making public aware about various aspects of Drug Addiction and how to deal with this problem. He suggested that awareness generation programmes should be organised on Drug Addiction as well as other such issues more often.
Vivek Gupta, SP Reasi, spoke about the serious consequences of Drug Addiction on the individual, family and the society and urged upon all the stakeholders to help in discouraging this menace by spreading awareness about Drug Addiction. He also emphasised the need for nurturing moral and ethical values among children.
Kulbir Singh, Additional SP Katra, in his opening remarks, dwelt on the aims and objects of organizing the seminar. He gave details of the harmful affects of Drug Addiction and the programmes being organised to enlarge awareness about it.
The proceedings of the seminar commenced with lighting of the ceremonial lamp by the CEO of the Shrine Board, Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, SP Reasi and other dignitaries present on the occasion.
Shyam Lal Kesar, president Hotel and Restaurant Association, Katra presented a vote of thanks while Rakesh Wazir, senior vice president of the Association conducted the proceedings of the seminar.
The Resource Persons who delivered lectures on various aspects of the topic of the seminar included Dr. Varun Tripathi, Assistant Professor & Director Incharge, School of Philosophy, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Dr. Saurabh, Assistant Professor, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University and Dr. Gurmeet Kour, Registrar Psychiatry, GMC, Jammu. A skit was also presented by the Narcotics Control Bureau on the occasion, highlighting ill effects of drug addiction.
Among those present on the occasion were Mr. Manoj Kumar, Zonal Director, Narcotics Control Bureau, J&K, Mr. Anil Sharma, Deputy CEO, SMVDSB Shiv Kumar Sharma, president, Indian Style Wrestling Association, J&K, functionaries and members of the Hotel and Restaurant Association, Katra, senior civil, Police and Shrine Board officers, prominent citizens, a large number of people of the area and students.
Follow our WhatsApp channel