Yes to life, no to drugs

Going beyond its conventional role, the Army is steering the youth of J&K away from the menace of drug addiction by engaging them in sporting events and cultural activities, narrates Fayaz Wani

- Fayaz Wani

In view of the rise in drug abuse in Kashmir, the Indian Army has moved beyond its conventional role and joined hands with the civil administration and sports bodies in north Kashmir's Baramulla district, once hit by militancy, to organise two major initiatives—the mega sports festival 'Varmul Gindo 2025' and the cultural heritage event 'Kashur Riwaaj 2025'—to steer the youth away from the growing menace of drug addiction.

'Varmul Gindo' brought together more than 1,600 athletes from 75 local clubs to compete in over 20 disciplines, ranging from football to kabaddi, volleyball to martial arts, snooker to hockey, and from niche disciplines like powerlifting & fencing to women's rugby.