Youth Movement Against Substance Abuse Gains Momentum During Bageshwar Dham Rath Yatra in Chhatarpur
A significant youth movement against substance abuse emerged during the Bageshwar Dham Rath Yatra in Chhatarpur, led by Dhirendra Krishna Shastri.
Chhatarpur, October 15 (Daily Kiran) : A powerful wave against substance abuse has emerged among the youth during the recent “Sanatan Hindu Ekta Rath Yatra 3.0,” led by Dhirendra Krishna Shastri at Bageshwar Dham in Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh. The event, which included various storytelling sessions, emphasized reconnecting with traditional values and rejecting alcohol and drugs.
The five-day Rath Yatra commenced on October 11 from Bageshwar Dham and covered nearly 500 kilometers across five districts in Bundelkhand, including Chhatarpur, Panna, Damoh, Sagar, and Tikamgarh, concluding on October 15. Thousands of devotees, particularly the youth, participated in the event.
At each significant stop, Shastri urged attendees to abandon alcohol and other narcotics, eliminate caste discrimination, and maintain social harmony. He highlighted the serious issue of substance abuse in the region, stating that a dedicated campaign against addiction was a central theme of the journey. “Bundelkhand is grappling with addiction. Special measures were taken, and people pledged to change. We believe this journey will bring about significant transformation,” he remarked.
In Banda and other areas, Shastri met families who lost loved ones to toxic alcohol and called for collective action against this danger. Addressing the youth, he emphasized, “When the youth awaken, India will awaken; the dream of a drug-free India will be realized.”
He reiterated that addiction weakens both individuals and the nation, urging the youth to embrace traditional values based on Sanatan principles, discipline, and purposeful living. Shastri also called on the Madhya Pradesh government to consider a complete ban on alcohol sales, citing successful examples from Bihar and Gujarat.
He announced that his next journey would focus specifically on drug awareness and rehabilitation efforts. The impact of the Rath Yatra and storytelling sessions is evident in the growing number of young devotees publicly pledging to stay away from alcohol and drugs. Organizers and local supporters view this movement as a crucial step towards building a healthier, value-based society.
Through his call for a “drug-free, great India,” Dhirendra Shastri is inspiring the new generation to shed harmful habits and reconnect with India’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage.
