Silent but Powerful: Hearing-Handicapped Students Lead Anti-Drug March in Jammu
26/05/2026
Jammu, May 26 (KIP)-In a unique and powerful demonstration, over 100 hearing-handicapped Divyangjan students and their parents took to the streets of Jammu today to support Lt Governor Manoj Sinha’s Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyan.
The awareness march was jointly organised by the Central Govt Pensioners’ Welfare Association, Jammu (CGPWA) and the Jammu & Kashmir Samaj Kalyan Kendra (SKK), which runs the School for Hearing Handicapped.
Two former DGPs, Kuldeep Khoda, Dr Ashok Bhan, former DG DRDO Dr Sudarshan Kumar, President SKK K B Jandial, Vice President Brig (Retd) Dr Rakesh Khajuria, General Secretary J K Vaid, Former IGPs Prem Gupta & Nisar Ahmad, former Chairman Pollution Control Board, Dr C M Seth, former Executive Director, NTPC, Vinod Padha, Advocate Rameshwar Singh Jamwal ,] Treasurer of CGPWA O P Sharma walked alongside the children to amplify their message.
Supporting colourful Angvastra and badges, primary and senior students carried placards with striking messages like "Nashey ko mitana hai, desh ko bachana hai" and "Jeevan Anmol hai, isko nashey main na jhonko. Through these banners, the Divyangjan, who were deaf and dumb, appealed to the people of Jammu to desist from taking drugs warning of destruction of the career of the youth and lives of their families.
Earlier, the Principal of the School administered a pledge to work for removal of drugs from the society.
Later, speaking on the occasion, Kuldeep Khoda said that by taking out a march against drugs, the Divyangjan have taken a lead in the society to cleanse it from the curse of drugs. Their silent message written on their placards have a greater impact on the youth than anyone else's words. Describing them as highly talented youth which are demonstrating in the BOSE examination every year, he asked them to keep guard against those who are destroying the careers and dreams of youth by trapping them in use of narcotic substances. He said that CGPWA has taken upon it to hold such awareness camps in order to save the youth from this devastating menace.
Dr Ashok Bhan, in his address, impressed upon the divyang to remain away from drugs and that parents have to remain vigilant against those hijack students by giving such initial doses for enjoyment, mostly free of cost initially to make them addict. He said drug peddlers literally capture the brains of the youth to ensure that they are unable to decide good or bad for them. Such youth almost become animals. He said apart from remaining alert against drug peddlers, the source of these illegal trades has to be choked in the interest of the society. This, he said, can be done by the police and the administration. Another important issue is rehabilitation of drug addicted youth, which is possible through treatment.
Earlier, Counselor of Police Deaddiction Centre Ms Anisha Dhar gave a motivational lecture to the Divyangjan and said that everyone should avoid becoming addicted which can be anything but drug addiction is dangerous. It has a devastating impact on the student as well as the family. She said that while the students should choose good friends, parental surveillance is also essential. Parents must monitor their wards’ friends and social circles to insulate them from peddlers. Awareness about the danger of narcotics and intoxicating substances is also essential so that students can remain alert, she added.
J K Vaid welcomed the guests to the function while Brig ( Retd) Dr Rakesh Khajuria presented the vote of thanks. Principal Roshan Bhan conducted the proceedings. Entire proceedings were translated in sign language for hearing handicapped students.