To combat the growing drug menace, The Kalgidhar Trust, an international non-profit organization headquartered at Baru Sahib, Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh, hosted its second annual social and spiritual event – Shaam-e-Roohani 2016 at Punjab Kala Bhawan, Sector 16. The event aimed to create awareness about the dangerous effects of drug addiction.
The audience consisted of notable educationists, college heads, doctors, industry leaders, and retired officers from the Tricity region.
Akal Drug De-Addiction Centre – Impact and Vision
The trust’s Akal Drug De-Addiction Centre, located in Cheema Sahib, Sangrur, Punjab, has successfully treated over 4,500 addicts so far. The center is a part of the trust’s larger mission to eliminate the drug menace from Punjab.
Baba Iqbal Singh, President of The Kalgidhar Trust, shared the vision of opening 22 more de-addiction centres with the support of volunteers and the public.
Understanding the Local Challenge of Drug Addiction
Dr. (Col) Rajinder Singh, Director of de-addiction projects, explained that while drug addiction is a global issue, it has a local dimension in Punjab due to its proximity to the Golden Crescent (Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran). He emphasized that urgent action was needed to prevent the issue from affecting every family in Punjab.
Dr. Singh also shared that the trust is opening a new de-addiction center at Chunni Kalan, Fatehgarh Sahib, to serve the regions of Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula. The foundation stone for this new center was laid by Baba Iqbal Singh.
Vocational Training at the New De-Addiction Centre
The Akal Drug De-Addiction and Rehab Centre at Chunni Kalan will not only help addicts recover but also provide them with vocational training, enabling them to earn a livelihood and reintegrate into society as respected individuals.
Soulful Performances – Students’ Contribution to the Cause
Over fifty students from the Akal College of Divine Music and the Akal College of Nursing performed a series of soulful acts, including a divine music recital and a play on drug abuse. The performances were organized by the Kalgidhar Trust as part of the event.
The program, titled Shaam-e-Roohani 2016, included an instrumental music recital, Shabad Gayan, and a play called “Tabah” on the consequences of drug abuse. The students also presented a mime performance titled “Heal the World” to encourage collective efforts in tackling the drug menace.
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