HP guv asks women to fight drug abuse

Shimla: Himachal Pradesh governor Shiv Pratap Shukla said on Friday that Red Cross volunteers and women, particularly girl students, should work collectively to fight against drug abuse. Shukla was speaking during the inaugural function of the district-level Red Cross fair organised by the district Red Cross Society, Solan, at Nalagarh.
The governor said that the illegal drug business had increased rapidly in the state. "We all are concerned about drug abuse as it is a question of the future of the coming generation. We all need to fight against this evil together," said Shukla. He added that the fight against drug abuse needed to start from every household. He urged the local MLA to run a campaign against drug abuse.
He also attended the 'Nasha Nivaran Jan Jagran Programme' at Radiali panchayat of Nalagarh development block. On the occasion, the governor said that he launched a campaign against drug abuse at the panchayat level in the entire state and the representatives of panchayati raj institutions were being associated with this campaign.
The Red Cross was working for the cause of suffering humanity, and its services could also be utilised to eradicate social evils from society. He urged the people to associate themselves with the organisation so that humanitarian activities could be undertaken to provide succour to the underprivileged.
The Red Cross fairs were testimony to the spirit of compassion, unity, and service, which defined the Red Cross Movement, he added. The governor also counted services provided by the Red Cross societies, including free medicines and other medical facilities to the poor during disasters.
Shukla also urged the industrialists to donate generously towards the Red Cross Fund and directed the district branch to add more life members. He also honoured various donors on the occasion.
The governor also inaugurated the blood bank component separation unit constructed at the cost of nearly Rs 2 crore on the initiative of the Indian Red Cross Society, Himachal Pradesh, and the corporate social responsibility of Kinvan Private Limited.