Pune: On the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Suryadatta Group of Institutes organised a series of awareness programmes across its various educational institutions to promote a drug-free and healthy society.
Under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Sanjay B. Chordiya, Founder President of Suryadatta Education Foundation, and Vice President Sushma Chordiya, the events were held at Suryadatta National School, Suryadatta Institute of Health Sciences (College of Physiotherapy), Suryadatta Junior College, and Suryadatta Public School.
As part of the campaign, students participated in a rally echoing the message “Say No to Dope, Yes to Hope,” urging citizens to reject substance abuse and embrace a life of purpose and positivity. The rally was flagged off by Snehal Navalakha, Joint Vice President of Suryadatta, and Dr. Seemi Retharekar, Principal of Suryadatta Institute of Health Sciences.
The main event was held at the Bansiratna Auditorium on the Bavdhan campus, where police officials from Bavdhan Police Station, including API Dr. Ashok Dongre, PSI Chandrakant Jadhav, and officers Subhash Bahirat, Suraj Tilekar, and Kaveri Bangar were present. The guests were felicitated with Suryadatta scarves and medals in appreciation of their public service.
The programme began with the screening of short films highlighting the harmful impact of drug use. Dr. Dongre addressed the audience, emphasising the importance of maintaining good health and provided practical tips on staying away from substance abuse. During an interactive Q&A session, he answered queries from students, sharing real-life insights and preventive strategies.
In addition, Dr. Kiran Rao, Principal of Suryadatta Junior College, administered an anti-drug oath to students, encouraging them to commit to a substance-free lifestyle. Faculty and staff members from all departments of the institute actively participated in the initiative.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Dr. Sanjay B. Chordiya said, “We consistently support awareness campaigns to safeguard the physical and mental well-being of our students and society. A drug-free society is a progressive society. If every individual takes a strong stand against addiction, we can build a healthier nation that progresses at double the speed.”
