Jammu, April 8, KNT: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said addressing key social challenges requires collective responsibility, asserting that several issues cannot be resolved by the government alone and need active public participation.
He made these remarks while launching a three-day divisional-level awareness programme organized by the School Education Department at the Convention Centre in Jammu.
The programme focused on multiple social themes, including mental health awareness, drug de-addiction, environmental protection, traffic safety, and career counselling, bringing together students and stakeholders from across the Jammu division.
Addressing the gathering, Abdullah drew a distinction between responsibilities of the government, such as building infrastructure, and those requiring societal involvement. He said the public has a crucial role in maintaining environmental safeguards and public assets.
He expressed concern over the tendency to place complete responsibility on the government, particularly in matters like cleanliness, and urged citizens to adopt responsible behavior in daily life.
“If you act on the pledges taken today, we can compete not just within the country but with the world,” Abdullah said, calling upon the youth to contribute toward building a more responsible society.
On mental health, the Chief Minister said the subject continues to carry stigma and called for empathy toward individuals facing psychological challenges. He said supportive behavior can help people overcome difficult situations.
Addressing drug abuse, he said the issue cannot be tackled by the government alone and called for involvement of civil society, educational institutions, and citizens.
He also highlighted environmental responsibility, advocating plantation drives and suggesting a shift from symbolic gestures to practical contributions such as planting trees.
On traffic awareness, Abdullah said following safety measures such as wearing helmets and seat belts is a personal responsibility rather than compliance with enforcement.
He advised students to reduce excessive screen time and focus on overall development, expressing confidence in the role of youth in driving change.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister administered a pledge covering mental health awareness, drug de-addiction, environmental protection, traffic safety, and career guidance.
He also distributed innovation kits and other materials supported by organizations including Bharti Airtel and SBI Foundation, and felicitated resource persons associated with the programme.
Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education Sakeena Itoo said the participation of students reflects their engagement with societal issues and called for collective action on key challenges.
Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani and MLA Jammu West Arvind Gupta also addressed the gathering, emphasizing awareness and community participation in tackling social issues.
The event was attended by senior officials and students, with participation from all ten districts of the Jammu division, including through online mode. [KNT]
