Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya Inaugurates ‘Youth Spiritual Summit’ in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
National
Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the ‘Youth Spiritual Summit’ on July 19, 2025, in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, at the Rudraksh International Cooperation and Convention Centre.
- The summit was held under the theme “Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat” (Drug-Free Youth for a Developed India), bringing together over 600 youth representatives from more than 120 spiritual organizations across India.
- The event was organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE) as part of the national movement to curb substance abuse among youth. The two-day summit provided a national platform for youth spiritual leaders, influencers, and institutions to deliberate on behavioral solutions to drug addiction and promote a vision of a spiritually awakened, drug-free India.
- Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya was joined by other dignitaries including Dr. Virendra Kumar, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE); Nityanand Rai, Minister of State for Home Affairs and Culture; and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of State (MoS), MYAS. These leaders engaged in sessions with young participants to foster a network of proactive community and spiritual actors.
Main Point :- (i) The summit hosted four major plenary sessions that addressed the psychological and social consequences of drug abuse. These sessions focused on identifying solutions through spiritual healing, rehabilitation programs, and community outreach, aligning with national de-addiction efforts led by MYAS and MoLE.
(ii) A major outcome of the summit was the formal adoption of the Kashi Declaration, a five-year strategic framework for reducing drug addiction in youth. The declaration outlines holistic intervention plans backed by spiritual mentorship, national dialogue, and engagement with civil society. The declaration was facilitated by the Joint National Committee (JNC) and supported by over 250 youth leaders.
(iii) A dedicated segment was held to launch the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026, a platform designed to track spiritual leadership efforts, evaluate anti-drug initiatives, and guide future policymaking. The declaration and outcomes of the summit will be reviewed and followed up during this leadership dialogue in 2026 to ensure momentum is maintained and progress measured.
About Uttar Pradesh
Chief minister: Yogi Adityanath
Governor: Anandiben Patel
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