Call to make drug de-addiction campaign a mass movement
Prayagraj: The second phase of a massive tree-planting campaign was successfully organized on Monday in the Miyambaki Forest on the Yamuna campus of Uttar Pradesh Rajarshi Tandon Open University, Prayagraj. The university family, medical experts, forest department officials, and representatives of various voluntary organizations enthusiastically participated in the program and pledged to spread the common message of environmental protection and drug de-addiction. It is noteworthy that as per the instructions of the Governor’s Secretariat, Miyabaki Forest has been constructed in the Yamuna campus of the University, the objective of which is to conserve biodiversity, develop a green campus and strengthen the environmental balance for future generations.
On this occasion, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Satyakam, personally planted several shady and medicinal plants, including Neem, Sandalwood, Rudraksha, and Peepal. Addressing the gathering, he said that in Indian culture, trees are not only a means of environmental protection, but also a symbol of life, health, and spiritual consciousness. Highlighting the properties of various medicinal plants, he said that every person should pledge to protect at least one tree in their lifetime. He said that tree plantation will be meaningful only when regular protection and cultivation of the plants is also ensured.
A team of doctors from Motilal Nehru Medical College, led by Prof. Dilip Chaurasia and Dr. Pankaj Tripathi, actively participated in the program. Addressing the researchers and students, the two doctors stated that drug eradication is not merely an administrative campaign, but a comprehensive movement for social awareness. They urged the research students to develop an effective action plan for drug de-addiction, based on scientific, social, and practical perspectives. They assured the medical college of all possible educational, medical, and technical support for this public welfare campaign.
Public Relations Officer Dr. Prabhat Chandra Mishra said that various social and voluntary organizations also participated enthusiastically in the tree plantation campaign. Officials and members of Rotary Allahabad Royals and Innerwheel Club Midtown planted trees at various locations on the campus, spreading the message of environmental protection. On this occasion, many social workers including Shalini Talwar, Priyanka Agarwal, Shivani Agarwal, Sonal Agarwal, Vandana Pandey, Aarti Saxena, Kalpana Gupta, Madhu Gupta, Alpana Banerjee, Shashi Poddar actively participated.
At the event, Ms. Divya Mishra, Forest Range Officer, Soraon, provided important information regarding scientific plant conservation, irrigation, nutrition, and long-term maintenance. She stated that planting trees, along with their regular care and protection, is the real key to maintaining environmental balance.
On this occasion, Prof. Dilip Chaurasia and Dr. Pankaj Tripathi congratulated Vice Chancellor Prof. Satyakam for his leadership in simultaneously advancing social concerns like environmental protection, development of green campus and drug de-addiction.
The coordinator of the program, Prof. Sanjay Kumar Singh, while expressing his gratitude to all the guests, voluntary organizations, doctors and participants, said that in future also the university will continue to promote campaigns like environmental protection, public health, social awareness and drug de-addiction with wide public participation. On this occasion, Finance Officer Mrs. Poonam Mishra, Acting Registrar Prof. Ashutosh Gupta, Controller of Examinations Dr. G.K. Dwivedi, Prof. S. Kumar, Prof. P.K. Pandey along with many teachers, officers, employees and research students of the university were present.
