Face2News/Chandigarh
Under the Punjab Government’s ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ initiative, capacity-building and sensitisation workshops were organised for faculty members from 200 government and aided colleges across the state.
As part of the second phase of Yudh Nashean Virudh, being implemented under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, nodal professors from around 200 colleges across Punjab participated in one-day workshops held between January 20 and January 30 in four districts. These workshops were organised by the Department of Higher Education, Punjab, with support from the Data Intelligence and Technical Support Unit, Dr BR Ambedkar State Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) Mohali.
The workshops were conducted at Satish Chandra Dhawan Government College, Ludhiana; Mohindra College, Patiala; Rajindra College, Bathinda; and Jalandhar College of Education.
The workshop at Mohindra College, Patiala was graced by the presence of Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh, underscoring the Government’s commitment to addressing substance abuse and strengthening mental health support systems.
During the sessions, clinical psychologists and mental health professionals engaged with nodal professors to discuss substance abuse among youth and to collaborate on strategies for promoting mental wellbeing on campuses. While highlighting concerns related to student self-harm and substance abuse, teachers and administrators were sensitised on early identification, empathetic response, and appropriate support mechanisms. Resource persons and professors shared insights, experiences, and practical knowledge to address challenges and questions that emerged during the training sessions. Past learnings from the state-level training held at SMHS Government College, Mohali, in December were also revisited.
Over the past week, the Punjab Government has also been organising awareness foot marches across various constituencies and villages in the state, led by community volunteers. These initiatives have received an encouraging response from the public.
In the second phase of Yudh Nashean Virudh, the Government is undertaking multiple initiatives aimed at making Punjab drug-free. In this context, such capacity-building trainings play a crucial role in reducing the demand for drugs, empowering youth, and strengthening preventive efforts.