Raksha Bandhan was celebrated on Friday at various government de-addiction and rehabilitation centers in Punjab, where families spent time with their loved ones who are undergoing treatment and de-addiction process to overcome the drug problem. These celebrations, organized under the 'Yudh Nashean Viruddh' campaign of the Bhagwant Mann government, strengthened the message of love and cooperation between brothers and sisters. Additionally, people undergoing treatment are encouraged to commit to recovery, return to their loved ones, and live a healthy and meaningful life.
Along with the families, representatives from various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and Surmas of Punjab, i.e. peer ambassadors who have themselves come out of drug addiction and have adopted a drug-free life and now inspire others on the same path, also participated in these programs.
encouraged patients undergoing treatment
At the District De-addiction and Rehabilitation Center in Gurdaspur, Surma Pankaj Mahajan, who himself has walked the path of recovery from drug addiction, interacted with the patients and their families and shared his personal journey to encourage the patients undergoing treatment. He said, “We have come here to encourage all of you under the 'Yudh Nashean Viruddh' campaign. The government is playing a huge role in helping you and we are also here to support and encourage you. I myself have gone through drug addiction and from my experience I can say that one can come out of it. I am now drug free for the last 10 years and want you to also follow the same path. On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, our sisters also want to support you in your endeavor. are present here. Let's promise them that we will give our best.”
got a chance to introspect
Activities related to letter-writing and creative arts were also organized in various centres. Through these activities, patients got an opportunity to express their feelings, connect with families and introspect on their journey to de-addiction. Rajvinder Singh (name changed), a patient undergoing treatment at the District De-addiction and Rehabilitation Centre, Kapurthala, expressed gratitude to his sister and family members for supporting him strongly during his struggle with drug addiction through a letter-writing activity. Rajvinder wrote, “When I came here, I realized how wrong I was. Now I have given up drugs and have returned to my old life.”
Another patient undergoing treatment at the District De-addiction and Rehabilitation Center in Kapurthala wrote a letter to his sister. In an excerpt from the letter he said, “My dear sister, I am very sorry for what I did. Please forgive me. I have realized my mistakes. I love and miss you all very much and I will never walk this path to hell again.”
Raksha Bandhan celebrated at de-addiction center
Raksha Bandhan was celebrated in a similar manner in other de-addiction and rehabilitation centers across Punjab. In Kapurthala and SAS Nagar, Raksha Bandhan celebrations were organized in the District Rehabilitation Centers in collaboration with Brahma Kumaris. In Patiala, Sarva Prem Foundation and Surmaon together celebrated Raksha Bandhan at the District De-addiction Centre. Through Sarva Prem Foundation, young girls from the community sent handmade rakhis and messages of encouragement to the patients. Apart from this, Raksha Bandhan was also celebrated in government de-addiction and rehabilitation centers located in Bathinda, Pathankot, Nawanshahr, Mansa, Fatehgarh Sahib, Faridkot, Amritsar and other districts of Punjab, in which families of people recovering from drug addiction participated enthusiastically.