Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has issued a stern warning to the youth, identifying the escalating consumption of drugs and the addiction to smartphones as the two most significant challenges imperiling their future and the nation’s progress. Addressing a major academic event, the Chief Minister underscored the urgent need for students and young professionals to mitigate these dual perils to secure a brighter tomorrow.
🚨 The Dual Scourge: Drugs and Smartphones Threaten Youth Focus
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 93rd Founder’s Week celebrations of the Maharana Pratap Education Council in Gorakhpur, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighted the critical nature of these modern-day addictions. He stressed that a young generation free from these debilitating dependencies is essential for fulfilling their responsibilities towards their families, society, and the nation. The event, held at the auditorium of Mahayogi Gorakhnath University, saw a convergence of academic leaders, students, and dignitaries.
The Chief Minister’s remarks centered on the idea that escaping these twin ‘narcotics’ is directly proportional to how well young people can save themselves and, by extension, the future of the country.
“Today, our youth face two primary challenges: one is the addiction to drugs, and the other is the addiction to mobile phones or smartphones. They must abstain from both. The more they avoid these addictions, the more they will be able to save themselves and the future of the country.” – Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath
🛡️ Call for Vigilance Against Narco-Terrorism
In his capacity as an academic guardian and public figure, the Chief Minister urged the youth to remain highly vigilant. He specifically pointed out that drug syndicates are making “vicious attempts” to ensnare the younger generation.
Academia’s Role in the Fight
CM Adityanath insisted that academic institutions must maintain an equally high level of alertness. He framed the issue not just as a social problem, but as a battle against elements seeking to undermine the nation.
- Heightened Awareness: Educational bodies must incorporate awareness programs about the dangers of substance abuse.
- Creating Safe Spaces: Campuses must be strictly regulated zones free from illicit substances.
- Empowering Students: Youth must be equipped to fight this ‘new war’ against external and internal enemies attempting to infiltrate society through addiction.
📱 Limiting Smartphone Consumption: A Gradual Shift
While acknowledging the inevitability of technology, the Chief Minister drew attention to the excessive time young people spend on their smartphones, advocating for a significant reduction. Recognizing the difficulty of an immediate halt, he advised a phased reduction strategy.
Practical Advice for Digital Discipline
The core of the Chief Minister’s advice was to introduce structured discipline in technology use:
- Set Clear Limits: Initially, restrict smartphone use to a maximum of half an hour or one hour per day.
- Prioritize Necessity: Only use the mobile device when absolutely necessary for communication or work-related tasks. Avoid non-essential, time-wasting engagement.
- Gradual Reduction: Start by tracking current usage and consciously decrease screen time incrementally over weeks.
🧠 The Physiological and Mental Toll of Excessive Screen Time
CM Adityanath went on to detail the serious consequences of unchecked smartphone overuse, explaining how it physically and mentally debilitates the user.
- Ocular Health: Excessive screen exposure severely impacts eyesight and visual health.
- Cognitive Blunting: It leads to the dulling of the mind and intellect, hindering critical thinking and sharp decision-making.
- Erosion of Wisdom and Physicality: The constant distraction and lack of engagement with the real world weaken an individual’s wisdom, discretion (vivek), and overall physical capacity.
This highlights the critical importance of moderation, urging young people to exercise self-control to protect their most vital assets—their minds and bodies.
🚀 Preparing for the Future: Embracing Technological Evolution
The Chief Minister balanced his caution against technological abuse with a strong call to embrace technological advancement. He encouraged the youth to prepare themselves for the new era driven by sophisticated technologies.
The Age of Transformative Tech
The world has already stepped into an age defined by advanced technological paradigms:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI): The future of work and innovation is inextricably linked to AI.
- Internet of Things (IoT): The connectivity of devices is reshaping industries and daily life.
- Drone Technology: Revolutionizing surveillance, logistics, and mapping.
- Robotics: Transforming manufacturing, healthcare, and exploration.
He stressed that no one can, or should, isolate themselves from this global wave of innovation.
Dispelling the Job Loss Myth
Addressing a common apprehension, the Chief Minister challenged the notion that technology inevitably leads to job displacement. He asserted that this viewpoint is inaccurate.
“We must overcome the mindset that technology will reduce employment opportunities. This fact is incorrect. On the contrary, when technology arrives, new opportunities for employment are automatically created.”
The imperative is for individuals to physically and mentally prepare themselves to adapt to these new technological roles and leverage the emerging opportunities.
🇮🇳 Honoring a Distinguished Guest: Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh’s Contribution
The Founder’s Week celebration was graced by the presence of the Governor of Uttarakhand, Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh (Retd.), who was the Chief Guest. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath warmly welcomed and felicitated the Governor, recognizing his extensive contributions to the state of Uttarakhand.
A Catalyst for Development in Devbhoomi
CM Adityanath lauded Governor Singh’s proactive and constructive engagement across various sectors in Uttarakhand, often referred to as ‘Devbhoomi’ (Land of the Gods) and ‘Veerbhumi’ (Land of the Brave).
His recognized initiatives included:
- Educational Advancement: Focused efforts on improving teaching and higher education institutions.
- Tourism Development: Driving initiatives to enhance and promote the state’s tourism sector.
- Environmental Stewardship: Championing causes and programs related to environmental conservation.
- Farmer and Horticulturist Welfare: Implementing schemes for the benefit of ‘Annadata’ (food provider) farmers and fruit growers.
- Soldier Welfare: Dedication to the well-being of brave soldiers and their families, reflecting the state’s military heritage.
The Chief Minister highlighted the Governor’s excellent dialogue and innovative approach to the diverse social, cultural, economic, geographical, and environmental issues facing the state, presenting him as a source of inspiration for both the current and future generations.
🏆 Recognizing Excellence: The Award Ceremony
A significant part of the main ceremony involved the Chief Minister and the Governor of Uttarakhand jointly presenting awards to various deserving individuals and institutions associated with the Maharana Pratap Education Council.
Categories of Recognition
Approximately 150 awards were distributed from the stage, celebrating excellence across the academic spectrum:
- Institutional Excellence: Awards for the most outstanding institutions under the council.
- Human Resource Recognition: Honors for the best teachers, employees, and support staff (‘Paricharak’).
- Student Achievement: Recognition for top-performing students at different educational levels:
- Postgraduate (PG)
- Undergraduate (UG)
- High School and Intermediate levels
- Competition Winners: Prizes distributed to the winners of various academic and co-curricular competitions held during the Founder’s Week.
This ceremony underscores the commitment of the council and the state leadership to fostering a culture of merit and high achievement among educators and students.
🌐 Contextual Analysis: The Growing Digital Divide and Addiction Crisis
The Chief Minister’s address comes at a time when India, with its vast youth population, is grappling with significant challenges arising from the rapid pace of digitization and the pervasive nature of addiction.
The Smartphone Phenomenon in India
India is one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing markets for smartphones. While digital access has unlocked unprecedented educational and economic opportunities, it has simultaneously created a public health concern: Nomophobia (No-Mobile-Phone Phobia) and generalized smartphone overuse disorder.
- Impact on Productivity: Studies increasingly suggest a direct correlation between high smartphone usage among students and diminished academic performance, characterized by reduced attention spans.
- Mental Health Crisis: Excessive screen time is linked to increased rates of anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and social isolation, creating a generation potentially less equipped for real-world interactions.
The Drug Trafficking Nexus
Concurrently, the threat of drug addiction remains acute. The geographical positioning of India, nestled between the Golden Crescent (Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan) and the Golden Triangle (Myanmar, Laos, Thailand), makes it highly vulnerable to trans-national drug trafficking. This influx of narcotics specifically targets the impressionable youth population, often facilitated through illicit online channels and dark web networks, presenting a ‘narco-terrorism’ threat that demands a comprehensive, multi-agency response. The Chief Minister’s strong stance reflects a growing realization that this is a challenge to national security and social well-being.
🔮 Conclusion: A Call to Responsible Citizenship
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s comprehensive address served as a powerful reminder of the responsibilities incumbent upon the youth as future leaders. By successfully navigating the pitfalls of drug addiction and the digital distractions of excessive smartphone use, and by responsibly embracing the emerging technological landscape, the youth can ensure both personal excellence and national progress. The message is clear: self-discipline and focused engagement are the keys to unlocking the nation’s potential in the new global order.
❓ Suggested FAQs.
Q1: What are the two biggest challenges for youth according to CM Yogi Adityanath?
A: CM Yogi Adityanath identified the two biggest challenges for the youth as drug addiction and the excessive use or addiction to mobile phones/smartphones.
Q2: Why did CM Adityanath advise the youth to limit their smartphone usage?
A: He advised limiting smartphone usage because excessive screen time can negatively affect eyesight, dull the mind and intellect, and weaken an individual’s wisdom, discretion, and physical capacity. He suggested reducing usage gradually to 30 minutes to one hour per day for necessary tasks.
Q3: What was CM Yogi’s perspective on technology and employment opportunities?
A: CM Yogi Adityanath countered the belief that technology reduces jobs. He stated that the arrival of technologies like AI, IoT, and Robotics automatically creates new employment opportunities, provided the youth prepare themselves mentally and physically to adapt to these changes.
Q4: Who was the Chief Guest at the 93rd Founder’s Week celebrations?
A: The Chief Guest at the 93rd Founder’s Week celebrations of the Maharana Pratap Education Council was Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh (Retd.), the Governor of Uttarakhand.
Q5: How does the Chief Minister suggest fighting the challenges posed by drug abuse?
A: The Chief Minister called for the youth to prepare for a “new fight” against drug abuse, urging academic institutions to be highly alert and for students to remain vigilant against drug mafias who are aggressively attempting to target the younger generation.
External Source: www.etvbharat.com
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