JK-Bhaderwah, OCT. 7 (ITN) : Emphasising the importance of national unity, social harmony and protection of the younger generation from substance abuse, the Amazing Bhadarwah Tourism Association (ABTA) organised Bhadarwahi Rang 4.0 in Bhaderwah, bringing together cultural representatives, students, civil society members and administrative officials around issues of wider social and national significance.
ABTA Chairman Ravi Thakur, a retired Sub-Divisional Magistrate, said the association was committed to protecting young people from drug abuse while preserving the region’s cultural identity, traditional values and communal harmony.
Thakur stressed that safeguarding the youth from narcotics was a collective responsibility requiring coordinated efforts by families, educational institutions, civil society and law-enforcement agencies. He also called for greater awareness of the risks posed by drug trafficking and the potential exploitation of vulnerable young people by criminal networks.
The programme highlighted concerns over narcotics trafficking in Jammu and Kashmir, including security agencies’ concerns about the use of cross-border routes and drone technology for smuggling. The organisers underscored the need for public vigilance, effective enforcement and sustained awareness campaigns to prevent substance abuse from damaging the social fabric and future prospects of the younger generation.
Dedicated to the memory of renowned local artist Late Shri Omkar Pardesi, the event was organised in collaboration with the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages.
Students from local educational institutions delivered presentations on drug prevention, while folk performances, Mushaira and songs in the Bhadarwahi language highlighted the shared cultural traditions of Hindu and Muslim communities. The programme conveyed a message of brotherhood and mutual respect, reinforcing the importance of social cohesion in a diverse society.
MLA Bhaderwah Daleep Singh Parihar, Deputy Commissioner Doda Krishan Lal, ADC Bhaderwah Sunil Kumar Bhutiyal and other officials attended the programme.
The event also promoted local agriculture, traditional cuisine, handicrafts and tourism-related products, highlighting the potential of cultural preservation and local enterprise to create constructive opportunities for young people.
Through Bhadarwahi Rang 4.0, ABTA sought to link cultural awareness with the broader objectives of a drug-free society, communal harmony and responsible youth participation, stressing that protecting the next generation and preserving the country’s social unity require sustained efforts at both community and institutional levels.
Report: Mansoor Qadir, J&K.
