Campaign against substance Abuse by Maharishi Markandeshwar University Kumarhatti on 6th of January 2026 in sports competition event organized by Arki Kalyan samiti at Shalaghat, Arki, district Solan .
These days the substance abuse is a real public health problem in the country. Reported cases are far less than the exact prevalence of the problem. This problem is making all age groups as victims, but the national concern is that it is affecting the young age group most. In spite of the strict legislation against Chitta the supply of the drugs is unabated due to the illegal and hidden sources. This social health problem is not only affecting the health of the young productive population of the country, but also has socioeconomic dimensions. There aregood many cases of deaths reported in the country and in our state also because of this menace.
NCORD (Narcotic coordination) committees are functioning in all districts in H.P., to take stock of the situation related to narcotic drugs under which category, ‘Chitta’ also falls. Deputy Commissioner Solan in the district is heading the campaign against this problem, Maharishi Markandeshwar University is the part of Anti-Chitta campaign in the district. As per the guidelines of University Grant Commission also the mental and physical health of students is of paramount importance. We have Student Service Center in our university and Prof of Psychiatry department and I/C Sports Society are the respective coordinators in Mental health and Physical health. Our manpower is engaged in the 24×7 efforts of preventing, detecting and managing drug abuse problem including Chitta menace.
In this direction Vice Chancellor Maharishi Markandeshwar University Kumarhatti, Dr. Ravi Chand Sharma was the Chief guest of Cricket Championship organized by the Arki Kalyan Sanstha in Arjun Khel Maidan, Kotli Panchayat, Shalaghat Teshil Arki Distt. Solan on 6th of January 2026. Last year also the Sanstha had organized one month event from December 2024 to 15th January 2025 in which 64 cricket teams and 19 teams of women from Arki Division had participated in rope pulling event. Valedictory function was Chaired by the Hon’ble Governor of Himachal Pradesh. This year, the sports competition for capturing Baghal-Cup under the theme Khel Khilow-Nasha Bhagaow started on 15th December 2025 and will culminate on 14th of January 2026.The closing is scheduled to be Chaired by Hon’ble Governor of Himachal Pradesh.
Dr. Ravi Chand Sharma as Chief Guest accompanied by Village Batal Pradhan Smt. Urmil Sharma as Guest of Honour attended the cricket match competition on 6th Jan., 2026where Dr. Ravi administered oath to the players of both playing cricket teams during the ceremony not to take the drugs andtobacco products and desisting others also from using them as well as motivating peer group members in the area to participate in cricket and other sports activities so that they can not only stay away from drug abuse but also support the drug (Chitta) free abhiyan. Dr. Sharma informed that youth and other public that Chitta is a narcotic drug and it is dead end addiction which impacts the youngsters very quickly, traps them badly in its tentacles. Participating in sports and other physical activities decreases the stress, anxiety, depression and produces good hormones in the brain and increases focus and concentration of the youngsters. Regular sports help keep the students away from drug abuse including Chitta. He also informed that prevention is the best method to stay away from drugs but unfortunately if anyone gets hooked on to drugs, he/she must seek medical consultation. He added that Maharishi Markandeshwar Medical College and other Medical Colleges and hospitals in the State are already providing 24X7 counselling and de-addiction services.
Dr. Sharma appreciated the efforts of Arki Kalyan Santha for taking this initiative of using sports as a tool to keep youngsters mentally and physically fit by organizing such events. This activity Khel-Khilaow nasha bhagaow has been appreciated all over the State and local public has been actively promoting and participating in this event. They have been a competition of 102 bloggers on the social media on the issue of drug abuse especially Chitta, all these bloggers are females and there will be 4 judges to decide the winners.
Dr. Ravi in the end conveyed to the organizers of Baghal-Cupany support in the form of the extension approach and health services in the field of substance drug abuse. The organizers conveyed their thanks to Dr. Ravi Chand Sharma and Maharishi Markandeshwar University for the purpose.
