Effigies on drug abuse to be burnt at 200 venues on Dasehra

In an attempt to discourage drug abuse among the youth in the region, effigies of drugs would be set ablaze along with those of Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhkaran at more than 200 venues in parts of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan on the occasion of Dasehra next Saturday.

Effigies symbolising the demon of drugs have been displayed on stages where Ramlila is being enacted during Navratris. Organisers of Ramlila are making efforts to spread awareness about causes and consequences of drug abuse by making occasional reference to the displayed effigies.

Brainchild of senior functionaries of the Rotary International District led by district governor Dr Sandeep Chauhan, almost simultaneous burning of over 200 effigies of drug abuse was believed to be a first of its kind as office-bearers of about 120 units of the Rotary have undertaken to buttress the project, which would be accomplished in coordination with the administration and Dasehra committees of the region.

Chief adviser, Rotary district, Amjad Ali said that senior functionaries of the district led by district governor Sandeep Jain and PDG Ghanshyam Kansal had decided to launch a special campaign to spread awareness on causes and consequences of the menace of drug abuse by burning effigies of the social evil on Dasehra.

“We have advised office-bearers of all clubs falling under the Rotary district consisting parts of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan to coordinate with the local administration and Dasehracommittees in this regard,” said Ali. He said the movement was kicked off at Ahmedgarh, where enthusiasts led by president Venu Gopal Sharma and Secretary Ashok Verma handed over an effigy for installation at the Ramlila stage. DSP Rajan Sharma and executive magistrate Parveen Sharma chaired inaugural and concluding sessions of the function held to launch the campaign.

Appreciating the initiative taken by the organisers to discourage youth from falling prey to drugs, SSP Malerkotla Gagan Ajit Singh said circle officers at Malerkotla, Amargarh and Ahmedgarh had been advised to associate with the project and extend every support for spreading awareness on the issue.

Chauhan said almost all office-bearers of almost 120 clubs of the district had consented to support the project launched to discourage drug abuse among youths. “We believe that effigies of drug abuse will be burnt at more than 200 Dasehra venues almost simultaneously next Saturday,” said Chauhan, maintaining that organisers had been asked to keep the size of effigies small.