The Social Welfare Department of the Government of Meghalaya, in partnership with the Drug Reduction Elimination & Action Mission (DREAM), successfully hosted a comprehensive Anti-Drugs Awareness Programme, demonstrating its unwavering commitment to ending substance abuse and empowering young people. The event, which took place at the State Guest House in Taraghar, had the stirring theme Pulse of the Hills: Every Beat Against Drugs.

The program, which was sponsored by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Shri Conrad K. Sangma, emphasized the State’s overarching objective of creating a resilient, healthy, and drug-free Meghalaya through community involvement, youth engagement, and systemic intervention.

The event saw the presence of Bah Paul Lyngdoh, Adviser to the Government of Meghalaya, Social Welfare Department, and Mr. John Abraham, Actor, Producer, Entrepreneur, and Co-owner of Northeast United FC.

Bah Paul Lyngdoh and Mr. John Abraham highlighted the transformative power of sports and youth development in Meghalaya in a very moving interactive session. Abraham thanked Chief Minister Shri Conrad K. Sangma, calling him one of the nicest human beings, and conveyed his love for Shillong and the Northeast as a whole. Referring to the area as the hotbed of football, he shared his vision of a Ronaldo or a Messi coming from the Northeast and declared that his new football academy would be ready in the next two years. Abraham promoted a disciplined, drug-free lifestyle based on high ideals while responding to inquiries from students about dealing with harmful influences and substance abuse.

In order to support the State’s ongoing drug reduction, elimination, and action initiatives, dignitaries also unveiled a van that was driven by the Social Welfare Department of the Government of Meghalaya and funded by the DREAM Mission. The van is specifically dedicated to the Asha Bhavan Rehab Center in Tura.

The felicitation of Mr. John Abraham, who was honored alongside Recovery Champions and the State’s youngest recovery champion, was one of the day’s main highlights.

The event included incredibly poignant youth-focused segments that went beyond traditional speeches. Meghalaya Users’ Forum Recovery Champion 2026 Shri Marvin B. Warjri gave a moving personal testimony titled The Choice That Changed Everything. In addition, Dapalei Linna Warjri, a Fitfluencer and Youth Icon Awardee 2024, gave a motivational talk titled Fit Over Fix, which promoted fitness as a constructive outlet for youth energy.

Through Into the Spotlight: Conversations that Inspire, an interactive session with participants, Mr. John Abraham, and Bah Paul Lyngdoh, the program also promoted direct engagement. Mr. Kitkupar Nongsie, a vocalist and World Championship of Performing Arts 2026 finalist, added a creative touch to the campaign’s message with a moving musical performance called Made for More.

At The Dream Wall of Commitment, where dignitaries and participants gathered to make a collective pledge to guarantee a drug-free Meghalaya, the event culminated in a stirring demonstration of unity.

The Government of Meghalaya keeps bolstering its multisectoral strategy thru initiatives like Pulse of the Hills, making sure that every beat of the state is filled with optimism, health, and a firm stance against drugs.

Priyanka Dutta