“Our Sundays, Our Streets, Our Responsibility.
One Sunday at a Time, One Stronger Generation.”
A country’s progress is often measured by its economy, infrastructure and development. But there’s another thing that matters just as much: the health and well-being of its people, especially its youth.
Young people have the energy, ideas and ability to bring change. However, substance abuse is a growing concern that can affect their health, education, relationships and future. The Nasha Mukt Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan is an opportunity for us to work together towards a healthier society. And I believe we don’t have to wait for someone else to bring that change. We can start right where we live, one Sunday at a time.
Imagine what we could achieve if young people across the country spent a few hours every Sunday doing something positive for their communities. Over 100 weeks, even small efforts could make a real difference. Here are three ways we could begin.
1. Make Sundays About Sports and Staying Active
For many young people, weekends are a time to relax, but they can also become days of boredom and inactivity. Organising simple sports activities in our neighbourhoods could be a great way to bring people together.
We could arrange cricket matches, football games, kabaddi tournaments or even morning runs. These activities don’t require expensive equipment or big grounds. A nearby park or an open space is often enough to get started.
Sports also teach us things that go beyond fitness. They help us work in teams, handle setbacks and build friendships. More importantly, they give young people a positive way to spend their free time and a sense of belonging. A friendly game every Sunday might seem like a small thing, but it could be the beginning of a stronger, more connected community. One Step Every Sunday- Youth Id…
2. Take Responsibility for Our Neighbourhoods
Sometimes, the easiest way to bring change is to start with the place we see every day. Our streets, parks and public spaces are shared by everyone, so keeping them clean and welcoming should be a shared responsibility too.
Young people could organise Sunday clean-up drives, plant trees or paint public walls with messages about health, hope and staying away from substance abuse, wherever permission is given. We could also work with local residents to improve neglected community spaces. One Step Every Sunday- Youth Id…
These activities may seem simple, but they can change the way people feel about their surroundings. When we put our own time and effort into improving a place, we naturally feel more connected to it. It also gives us a chance to work with people of different ages and backgrounds towards a common goal.
3. Create Spaces Where Young People Can Speak Freely
Not every struggle is visible. Many young people deal with academic pressure, uncertainty about their careers, family expectations and personal problems. Sometimes, they may find it difficult to talk about what they’re going through.
This is why we need more spaces where young people can have honest conversations without feeling judged. Every Sunday, we could organise small youth gatherings, open-mic sessions or informal discussion circles in schools, colleges and community centres.
These gatherings could include poetry, music, storytelling or simply conversations about everyday life. We could also invite counsellors or trained volunteers to share information about mental health, substance abuse and where to find help.
The purpose wouldn’t be to lecture anyone or tell them how to live. It would be to listen, share experiences and remind each other that asking for help is nothing to be ashamed of. Sometimes, a supportive conversation can make it easier for someone to take the next step. One Step Every Sunday- Youth Id…
Conclusion
A 100-week campaign may sound like a long commitment, but meaningful change doesn’t have to happen all at once. It can begin with a sports match, a cleaner neighbourhood or a conversation that makes someone feel heard.
As young people, we often talk about the kind of future we want to see. This campaign gives us a chance to take responsibility for making that future possible. If we give a little time every Sunday to our health, our communities and each other, those small efforts can gradually grow into something bigger.
A Nasha Mukt Viksit Bharat cannot be built by one person or one organisation alone. It needs people who are willing to participate and look out for one another. And perhaps the best place to begin is not somewhere far away, but right in our own neighbourhood, this Sunday. One Step Every Sunday- Youth Id…
=by: Yogesh Arvind Puranik. One Step Every Sunday- Youth Id…
