Pratha Trust Champions National Awakening Against Substance Abuse—From UN to Kashi, a Youth-Led Revolution Unfolds

As India intensifies its national resolve to combat substance abuse, the recently concluded National Youth Summit on Drug De-Addiction in Varanasi emerges as a watershed moment.

The summit concluded with the adoption of the Kashi Declaration—a forward-looking, multi-ministerial roadmap that lays the foundation for a youth-driven cultural revolution aimed at achieving a drug-free India by 2047.

Among the most prominent voices shaping the national agenda was the Pratha Indic Renaissance Trust, selected not only among the Top 100 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) contributing to the Kashi Declaration but also among just about 35 organizations invited to present direct policy recommendations to Union Ministers on the national dais.

A Voice Rooted in Vision and Legacy

Pratha’s delegation at the summit epitomized both diversity and dedication:

Mr. Vishal Dutta, Chairman

Shraddha Shirodkar, Ambassador to Maharashtra and NYPF alumna

Monolina Chakraborty, Senior Volunteer from Bengal

Barkha Soni, Volunteer from Chhattisgarh

Chairman Mr. Vishal Dutta, speaking at the summit, delved into an often-understated but powerful force sustaining the drug culture: the glamorization of substance abuse through media and surrogate advertising. He emphasized how tobacco and alcohol are romanticized via celebrity endorsements, particularly in Bollywood, misleading a generation into associating these habits with charisma, masculinity, and social acceptance.

“We must flip the narrative. Masculinity does not lie in intoxication—it lies in the courage to resist. A man who says no to addiction is stronger than one who succumbs to peer pressure,” said Mr. Dutta, urging the government to completely ban surrogate advertisements and to initiate sweeping media reforms that portray sobriety as a strength, not a weakness.

He also highlighted the toxic peer culture—especially among young men—where refusing alcohol often invites bullying or the label of being “less of a man.” Pratha’s solution: leverage mass media and cultural messaging to reprogram public perception, fostering national pride in sobriety and self-control.

The Roots of Pratha: PM’s Call to Youth at NYPF 2019

Pratha’s ascent to national and international relevance is anchored in profound civic vision. The organization’s founding team emerged from the very first National Youth Parliament Festival (NYPF) in 2019, where they were delegates to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Vigyan Bhawan. Inspired by the PM’s call to “unite and build nation-positive institutions,” the team came together to form what is today one of the most dynamic youth-led trusts focused on cultural resurgence, national character building, and grassroots transformation.

“It was not just a festival—it was a turning point,” shared a founding member. “PM Modi told us to come together and take ownership of India’s future. Pratha is our answer to that calling.”

International Legacy and National Impact

Since its inception, Pratha has represented India at major international platforms, including the UN Conference of Youth (UN COY), and has positively impacted over 130,000 individuals across India through programs on cultural literacy, youth leadership, mental health, and addiction awareness.

Pratha’s unique model—rooted in Indic knowledge systems and youth empowerment—has been recognized for combining spiritual wisdom with actionable policy and community engagement. From rural schools to the UN stage, Pratha drives home the message that India's civilization holds answers to modern challenges.

The Kashi Declaration:

Building a Nasha Mukt Bharat

Supported by the ministries of Youth Affairs, Health, Education, and Social Justice, the Kashi Declaration includes:

Preventive strategies via education, outreach, and busting social myths

Recovery pathways, with community-based rehab

Cultural de-glamorisation of addiction, informed by India’s ethos

A new Joint National Committee, annual progress reports, and national support registry

Partnerships with spiritual leaders, media, influencers, and youth collectives

Pratha’s Post-Kashi Vision

With a formidable pan-India volunteer network and deep experience, Pratha now prepares to expand its impact. Next steps include:

A Pan-India Anti-Addiction Awareness Campaign in vulnerable districts and campuses

University-based De-Addiction Camps for counseling, wellness, and leadership development

Youth Leadership Modules, starting in Bengal under the guidance of Monolina Chakraborty

Collaboration with ministries and grassroots partners to nationalize the fight against addiction using India’s cultural capital

Strategic use of its summit network to unified regional de-addiction efforts

Toward Viksit Bharat 2047

As India approaches the centenary of independence in 2047, Pratha envisions sobriety as a national virtue and cultural hallmark. By engaging youth not just as stakeholders but as torchbearers, Pratha proves that the mission for a healthier, addiction-free India can only succeed if led by its own young citizens.