ANANTNAG: The Department of Media Studies at Government Degree College Anantnag organized several programmes to raise mass awareness through multiple media formats regarding substance abuse and prevention strategies. The programmes were conducted under the banner of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, a national initiative focused on achieving a Drug-Free India.
In the first event, which commenced at 11:30 am in the College’s Conference Hall, students watched documentary films on the pervasive problem of substance abuse and the response of governments, civil society, and the media towards this critical issue. A British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) documentary titled “Beyond Darjeeling’s beauty, a rising drug addiction among the youth” was screened on the occasion. The documentary acted both as an awareness tool and encouraged students to take up such projects in documenting these complex issues of the time through dynamic audio-visual media.
In the second event, the faculty and students distributed interactive posters titled “Drug Addition: Know It. Fight It. Prevent It.” The posters, conceptualized and designed by media students in the media lab of the Department of Media Studies, gained traction on the campus with students keenly engaging with the contents and design elements of the posters.
The third event witnessed engaging group discussions on multimedia materials developed at the Department of Media Studies. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Imran Parray, HoD Media Studies, emphasized the importance of such organic forms of awareness.
“Students need to be at the forefront of the campaign and demonstrate rigor and passion in developing reflective media content on a subject like drug abuse,” he said. “Media messages are powerful and we must use this power towards a more secure and healthy future for all.”
The events attracted the attention of both faculty and students across the college, emphasizing the commitment of GDC Anantnag towards a drug-free and healthy society.