Gujarat’s De-Addiction Campaign Inspires Young Minds
Newz Daddy Educational Updates
Saurabh Rajyaguru is known for his acting and singing in the Gujarati media and theatre. He often uses his talent to engage young people in socially relevant topics. Using street plays makes the message lively and easier to remember.
Under the leadership of Saurabh Rajyaguru, the “Shikshapatri Jan Kalyan Abhiyan Gujarat Yatra” has been launched, organised by the Maninagar Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan. As part of this campaign, an 8-minute street play has been specially created to deliver the message NASHA NE NAKARO JEEVAN NE SWEEKARO (Say No to Addiction, Say Yes to Life). The Maninagar Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan is a well-known spiritual and welfare trust based in Ahmedabad. It runs schools, colleges, and public welfare projects in the region, serving communities for decades.
The yatra began on 4th August and has been travelling across various cities and villages of Gujarat. The team stages the play in public squares and in schools, intending to raise awareness, especially among children and the youth. This initiative has been designed with public welfare at its core. Street plays have long been used in India for social messaging—it connects directly with people and works especially well for rural and semi-urban audiences. Adding performances in schools ensures the message reaches kids when they are most open to learning.
So far, the campaign has successfully conducted programs in more than 25 schools, drawing active participation from students, youth, parents, and community members. Over the next 3–6 months, the mission is to reach villages, towns, and talukas across Gujarat, ensuring that the message of de-addiction reaches every home and helps bring about positive change in society. Gujarat has seen rising concerns about mobile overuse and online gaming addiction among youth, which experts say can impact studies, sleep, and social skills. Campaigns like this can help reduce stigma, promote healthy habits, and support families to identify early risks.
Saurabh Rajyaguru, who is himself a talented actor and singer, leads the campaign and shares,
“Today, many youngsters and even children are falling into the trap of addictions such as gambling, betting, online gaming, and excessive mobile use. Some also suffer due to bad company. These habits create major difficulties in life. Through our 8-minute play, we want to awaken people. We have already taken this campaign to towns and villages, including Bavla, Dholka, Viramgam, Sanand and many more, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. We are also working on a documentary about this public welfare initiative. With this play, we are trying to touch people’s hearts so that they can become aware in time and give their lives a new direction.”
His direct engagement—touching hearts through art and plans for a documentary—can make the initiative more lasting and relatable. Highlighting areas like Bavla, Dholka, Viramgam, and Sanand shows that they are spreading awareness across diverse regions.
The Shikshapatri Jan Kalyan Abhiyan Gujarat Yatra is proving to be a significant step in creating awareness for the health, values, and overall well-being of people in both urban and rural Gujarat. This kind of public awareness work aligns with similar initiatives where NGOs and cultural trusts use drama and storytelling to help people talk about mental health, addiction, and wellness. Involving students, families, and communities together increases the campaign’s positive reach.
