Udta Bharat: Why India's youths are taking easy way out of their angst
The biggest-ever drug bust in Kerala: Crystal meth worth Rs 25K cr seized
OVER LAST WEEKEND, THE NARCOTICS CONTROL BUREAU (NCB) and the Indian Navy—as part of the Operation Samudragupt, which targets ships carrying narcotic contraband through the Indian Ocean region—in a joint operation, seized narcotics weighing about 2,500 kg and valued at a whopping Rs 25,000 crore from a vessel at an undisclosed location in the Indian waters. The contraband being smuggled across the Indian Ocean waters was found to be high-purity methamphetamine, which is also known as ‘crystal meth’.
One person was arrested by the agencies. He is suspected to be a Pakistan national. Investigations into the seizure are on. NCB sources later disclosed that the contraband belonged to a notorious drug mafia led by Pakistan-based Haji Salim.
Around 134 sacks stuffed with the contraband— displayed in Kochi, Kerala—were seized from the unnamed vessel—referred to as a ‘mother ship’ in NCB parlance. The ship was intercepted off the Kochi waters. ‘Mother ships’ are large seafaring vessels that carry large quantities of narcotic contraband to be offloaded onto receptor vessels along its route.
WHY DRUG ADDICTION IS ON THE RISE
There are a number of reasons why drug addiction is on the rise among youngsters in India. Some of the most common reasons include:
Easy availability of drugs: Drugs are easily available in India—both in the urban and rural areas. This is because India is a major producer of opium and other drugs
Peer pressure: Peer pressure is a major factor in drug addiction among youngsters. Many youngsters start using drugs because their friends use them
Stress and anxiety: Stress and anxiety are common problems among youngsters in India. These problems can lead to drug use as a way to cope with the syndromes
Mental health problems: Mental health problems—such as depression and schizophrenia—can also lead to drug addiction. People with mental health problems often use drugs as a means of self-medication
No awareness of dangers: Many youngsters in India are not aware of the dangers of drug addiction. They may not know that drug addiction can lead to serious health problems—such as addiction, overdose, and even death
According to a 2019 report by the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC) of the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, there are an estimated 3.5 million drug addicts in India. Of these, 2.5 million are between the ages of 15 and 35. The report also found that the number of drug addicts in India is increasing at an alarming rate. In 2009, there were an estimated 2.2 million drug addicts in India. This number increased by 70% in just 10 years.
The NDDTC also said there were an estimated 6 million drug addicts in India in 2022. Of these, 40 lakh were addicted to opioids, 20 lakh to cannabis and 10 lakh to other drugs, such as cocaine and amphetamines.
PUNJAB STATE RANKS THE HIGHEST
According to the NDDTC, the state of Punjab has the highest number of over 2 million drug addicts in India, which is about 3% of the state’s population. The majority of drug addicts in Punjab are addicted to opioids, such as heroin and opium.
There are a number of factors that have contributed to the high rate of drug addiction in Punjab. One factor is the easy availability of drugs since Punjab is a major producer of opium and other drugs. Another factor is poverty and unemployment in the state. Many people in Punjab are poor and unemployed and turn to drugs as a way to cope with their problems.
The high rate of drug addiction in Punjab is a serious problem that is having a negative impact on the health, education and employment of a large section of the population, affecting mostly youngsters. It is also a problem that is costing the Indian government billions of rupees each year.
There are a number of measures that can be taken to address the problem of drug addiction among India’s youngsters. Some of the most important steps include:
►Increasing awareness about the dangers of drug addiction
►Providing treatment for drug addicts
►Cracking down on the supply of drugs
►Addressing the underlying causes of drug addiction—such as stress, anxiety and mental health problems
Addressing the problem of drug addiction among youngsters in India is a complex challenge. However, it is a challenge that must be addressed if India is to build a healthy and prosperous future for its youth who are the workforce of tomorrow.
Girish Linganna
Aerospace & Defence Analyst
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Assam to lift all cases against Koch Rajbongshis in Foreigners' Tribunals: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma
Guwahati, Apr 4 (PTI): The Assam cabinet has decided to lift all cases pending against people from the Koch Rajbongshi community in the Foreigners' Tribunals, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Friday.
They will also no longer carry the tag of 'D' or doubtful voters, he said.
''There are 28,000 cases pending in different Foreigners' Tribunals in the state against people of the community. The cabinet has taken a historic decision of lifting the cases with immediate effect,'' Sarma said at a press conference here after the cabinet meeting.
The government believes that the Koch Rajbongshis are an indigenous community of the state and they are an inextricable part of ''our social and cultural fabric'', he asserted.
The people of this community are poor and have suffered a lot over the years, he said.
''They will no longer carry the tag of foreigners or ‘D’ voters,'' the CM said.
Foreigners Tribunals are quasi-judicial bodies, particularly in Assam, established to determine if a person residing in India is a "foreigner" as defined by the Foreigners Act of 1946, based on the Foreigners (Tribunals) Order of 1964.
These tribunals are designed to address matters related to citizenship and the presence of “foreigners” in India, specifically focusing on cases where someone is suspected of being an illegal immigrant.
There are 100 Foreigners’ Tribunals across Assam.
The Koch Rajbongshis have a sizeable presence in Assam, West Bengal, Meghalaya, and parts of Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan, and they demand Scheduled Tribe status.
