By Fr Felix Anthony –
Miao: A group of young college students in Changlang District of Arunachal Pradesh organized a week-long Winter Carnival to raise fund to fight drug abuse in the district from 15 to 21 January in Miao.
The Inter Collegiate Youth Association of Miao (ICYAM), an umbrella body of college students from Miao studying in various colleges across the country, has pledged to fight drug abuse among the youth with creative events like sports, gaming, dance battles and musical bands. To raise fund for the cause, the youth have organized a week-long Miao Winter Carnival from 15 to 21 January.
Mr. Kamlung Mosang, Honourable Minister, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, was present at the inaugural function of the Carnival. Declaring the event open, the Minister appreciated the youth for the creative ways to fight drug abuse among the youth of the region. “Wherever there is drug abuse the crime rate in that area too is very high. They go hand in hand. When you fight drug, you fight the crimes in the society too”, the Minister said.
A large number government employees and public leaders were present to encourage the youth for their noble initiative. Mr. Gumja Nong Singpho, a local public leader, gave his own testimony on how drug and substance abuse could destroy one’s life and how hard it would be to walk back after taking the wretched drug-path.
The Carnival has a wide variety of events too woo the youngsters, said Mr. Mangam Wangsu, the President of ICYAM. “We want as many youngsters as possible to come and be a part of the event. We hope the Beat Box competitions, the Rap Battle, the Dance Battle, and the Mister and Miss Carnival will certainly bring in a large audience to collect enough fund for the campaign this June to spread awareness among each student in the district”, he said.
According to the recent Government Report, among the worst affected by the drug menace is Changlang district where its rampant abuse threatens to damage a whole generation of youths if not checked on time. The rate at which drug abuse among youths of Changlang district has increased in the last decade is quite alarming.
In this grim context, the ICYAM youth come across as a beacon of hope. This is the second fund raising Carnival the youth are organizing for the cause.