UNODC is cosponsor of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS - UNAIDS
The Art of Living Foundation Joins UNODC in the Fight to Prevent Drug Abuse
Contributed by Bidisha Pillai, Project Officer, Project G86 and Neiha Bansal, Consultant Communication and Advocacy, Project G86
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of the AOL
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,
Project G86 in collaboration with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and the
Art of Living Foundation, announced a partnership to prevent drug abuse on the 27th March 2008, at the Japanese Garden in Rohini, Delhi.
The mega gathering of over 2 lac people presented itself as a one of its kind opportunity for UNODC. It was superbly leveraged as a platform to create awareness on drug abuse and call people to action with one common slogan on their lips, "I Decide, I will not take drugs".
Ms. Ashita Mittal, Senior National Programme Officer, UNODC, spoke on the occasion to sensitize the masses on the gravity and penetration of the issue. Her address touched the most vulnerable section, the youth with a clear and powerful
message on what steps every person could take to ensure a drug free life for themselves and for those around. The message was later endorsed by His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar himself who had already expressed his support to the cause at an earlier meeting with Project-G86.
As the banner which read "Towards a drug free life- I get my high from life itself. I don't need alcohol, cigarettes or drugs", was held up by the youth volunteers from Art of Living, pockets of youth from among the audience stood up in roaring applause and commitment. The 'I Decide' badges, brochures and banners were distributed freely to the masses who enthusiastically came forward, asking for more.
The programme commenced with a 200 member orchestra of Indian classical music- a spectacular only a few had ever experienced before in Delhi. The event was also attended by illustrious dignitaries from the Government such as Shri. L. K. Advani- BJP leader and Smt. Arti Mehra- Mayor of Delhi who were there to receive the drug abuse prevention message from UNODC and lend their support. This spectacular event was covered live by Zee News, Sanskar and Sandhya channels.
With an overwhelming response and reach of this kind, Project G-86 is working to ensure and announce many more initiatives in partnership with the Art of Living Foundation, in the future.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of the AOL