Varanasi, July 20, 2025: The Youth Spiritual Summit, organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports at the Rudraksh International Convention Centre in Varanasi, culminated on Saturday with the formal adoption of the Kashi Declaration – a national charter to guide India’s youth-led movement against drug addiction.
More than 600 youth leaders representing over 120 spiritual and socio-cultural organisations from across the country participated in the summit, which was held under the theme ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat’. The three-day event featured four thematic plenary sessions on psychological and social dimensions of substance abuse, trafficking networks, grassroots outreach, and the role of spiritual institutions in rehabilitation and prevention.
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya described the Kashi Declaration as a “shared Sankalp” born out of “collective chintan”. He urged India’s spiritual community to take leadership in building a drug-free generation. “Bharat’s spiritual strength has always guided it through crises. Now it must serve as the backbone of this Maha Abhiyan for a Nasha Mukt Yuva,” he said.
The Declaration outlines a five-year roadmap and calls for a whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach to drug de-addiction. Key proposals include the formation of a Joint National Committee, annual progress reports, and a national platform to connect affected youth with support services. It also emphasises the integration of spiritual, educational, and technological solutions to address the addiction crisis.
Governor of Himachal Pradesh Shiv Pratap Shukla, addressing the gathering, highlighted the symbolic importance of Varanasi as the “cradle of Sanatan Chetna” and warned that “if a nation where 65% of the population is youth falls prey to addiction, only those who break free will shape its future.”
Uttar Pradesh’s Minister for Excise and Prohibition Nitin Agarwal delivered the keynote address during the final session. Several other senior leaders—Virendra Kumar (Social Justice), Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (Culture and Tourism), Nityanand Rai (Home Affairs), Anil Rajbhar (Labour), Raksha Khadse (Youth Affairs), and Girish Chandra Yadav (Sports Minister, Uttar Pradesh)—participated in the summit’s sessions and panel discussions.
Raksha Khadse cautioned against the misuse of digital platforms targeting schoolchildren and reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance stance under the Prime Minister’s leadership.
As part of the Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) initiative, the summit has laid the foundation for a nationwide anti-drug campaign. MY Bharat volunteers and affiliated youth clubs will now lead pledge campaigns, awareness drives, and community outreach activities. The progress of the Kashi Declaration will be reviewed during the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026, ensuring ongoing monitoring and accountability.
