(Image source from: Deccan chronicle.com)
Modi Raises Concern Over Growing Problem Of Alcoholism:- Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised concern over the growing problem of alcoholism among youth on Thursday. He said that if the menace was not checked, the society will be “ruined” in the next 25 years.
Modi through video conference was addressing people associated with the Umiya Sansthan, a socio-religious organization, in Haridwar on the inauguration of Ma Umiya Dham Ashram. The Prime Minister praising the Sansthan for according priority to social causes, spoke of the vital role It could play in fighting alcoholism, among the younger generation. Moreover, he spoke about creating awareness about cleanliness and environment conservation.
Modi recalled how the institution had given him a helping hand in curbing female foeticide and rendering aid to quake-hit people when he had just taken over as Gujarat chief minister. Besides inspiring devotees to keep the environment clean, he asked the Sansthan to save the younger generation from falling victim to alcoholism.
“I am sharing this concern with you as someone who has grown among your midst and not as the Prime Minister. Don’t you hear news about the younger generation especially our boys falling victim to alcoholism and things our ancestors hated. If we let this tendency grow in 20-25 years our society will be ruined.”
“Considering your contribution to social causes in the past I shall appeal to you to stop the younger generation from going astray,” the Prime Minister said.
The devotees coming to the ashram should be asked whether or not they had made toilets at home, suggested Mr. Modi. He also offered a sapling each to plant and nurture with the same devotion which they show while worshipping Ma Umiya.
“It will help get rid of open defecation and keeping the environment clean and green,” he said.
The tourism in the whole of north India especially Uttarakhand where major pilgrimages like Haridwar, Rishikesh, Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri are located, will be tremendously boosted by the ‘dharamshala’ opened by the Umiya Sansthan. As people in this country have long been undertaking long journeys to visit major centres of faith, the circuit tourism may be a modern coinage but the concept has been part of India’s traditions for ages, said Modi.
The Sansthan was congratulated by Modi for setting up such a large dharamshala in Haridwar for devotees. He said people visiting the Himalayan shrines of Uttarakhand will benefit immensely from the facility which will boost religious tourism in the state. The enthusiasm with which he used to take part in Ma Umiya Devi festival celebrations as a young volunteer in Gujarat was also recalled by Mr. Modi.
SUPRAJA
