June 25, 2007
Puppet Show, Music Give Message
'Say No to Drugs'
New Delhi
A colourful puppet show, narration of real life experiences of the
fight against drug addiction and some soulful music were part of
events here Monday on the eve of the International Day Against Drug
Abuse.
'Celebrating the spirit of recovery', as the event was called,
invited recovering drug abusers from across the society to
participate and share their experiences with the audience.
Organised by the ministry of social justice and empowerment and the
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the event was one
of the many lined up to mark the International Day against Drug
Abuse and Illicit Trafficking June 26.
Tushar Sampat, one of the many recovering from drug abuse and now
helping others recover as well, stood up to relate his experience.
"I have been very lucky that I had a strong support system in the
form of my parents who were confident that I will overcome this
challenge. It was difficult initially, and to top it all people look
at you differently because of the social stigma attached.
"But today, nothing makes me more happy than reaching home and
meeting the smiling faces of my parents. No one takes any decisions
in my home without consulting me. That's the confidence they have in
me," Sampat related soberly to the packed auditorium.
If Sampat's story touched one, so did the puppet show put up by
children of the Salam Balak Trust, an NGO for street children, under
the guidance of noted puppeteer, Dadi Pudumjee.
Using different shoes for different characters, the play revolved
around how innocent children get trapped in the vicious cycle of
drug abuse and trafficking. Inviting peals of laughter, the play
managed to drive home the message perfectly.
Meira Kumar, minister of social justice and empowerment and the
chief guest, said that the day was a celebration of the human
spirit. "Recovery is a process, it can't happen in a day. But the
challenge is not to give up just like Tushar Sampat.
"Every year there is a theme to mark this day. This year it is 'do
drugs control your life?' And the answer is 'my life, my community,
no place for drugs'," Kumar said.
She added that there should be a conscious effort to prevent
promotion of lifestyle drugs. "The task is daunting but no task is
impossible. We at the ministry will be conducting a national survey
on drug abuse in India followed by a national household survey.
"Also, we have started a national level awareness campaign for the
young people on the consequences of drug abuse. With the UNODC we
are spreading awareness on drug abuse in schools as well," Kumar
added.
Boloji.com is owned and managed by Boloji Media Inc Privacy Policy |
Disclaimer
No part of this Internet site may
be reproduced without prior written permission of the copyright holder.
