Government of Sikkim
REPORT ON THE CELEBRATION OF THE 6TH ANNIVERSARY OF NASHA
MUKT BHARAT ABHIYAAN (NMBA) AND SPECIAL ORIENTATION
PROGRAMME FOR ANGANWADI WORKERS
On the occasion of the 6th Anniversary of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA), a Special Orientation
Programme for Anganwadi Workers was organised on 12th October 2026 at the Conference Hall of the
Social Welfare Department. The programme aimed to sensitise Anganwadi Workers on substance abuse,
its adverse effects on individuals, families and society, early identification, awareness generation,
counselling and referral mechanisms.
The programme was attended by the Principal Director, Women, Child, Senior Citizens and Divyangjan
Welfare Department; the Additional Director, Social Welfare Department; the Joint Director, Social Welfare
Department; the Nurse from CAM Chuwatar; members of the PMU team, Social Welfare Department; and
58 Anganwadi Workers.
Smt. Urvashi Poudyal, Women and Child Welfare Department, acknowledged the significant role
played by Anganwadi Workers in community development and appreciated their active involvement in
social welfare initiatives at the grassroots level. She highlighted that Anganwadi Workers had been
identified as Nasha Mukt Mitras and emphasised their responsibility in creating awareness about
substance abuse and identifying individuals who may require assistance.
Referring to the increasing impact of substance abuse on society and the State, she acknowledged that
early identification could be challenging but encouraged the participants to take up this responsibility
through community awareness and sensitive engagement. She stressed the importance of empathy,
tactful communication and a supportive approach while interacting with individuals in need of assistance.She assured the participants of the Department’s continued support and urged them to work collectively
towards the goal of achieving a Nasha Mukt Sikkim.
Shri Mahesh Sharma, Additional Director, Social Welfare Department, conducted an interactive
session with the participants, during which Anganwadi Workers shared their experiences and observations
regarding substance abuse in their respective communities. He highlighted that substance abuse not only
affects individuals but also gradually disrupts family life and the wider social fabric. He encouraged
Anganwadi Workers to initiate conversations within their communities and undertake awareness activities
in and around their areas of work. He identified denial and reluctance to acknowledge the problem as
major challenges in addressing substance abuse.
He also provided an overview of the Sahayogi Programme, highlighting its objectives and the benefits
received by individuals through its various initiatives. He emphasised that assistance and treatment are
available for persons affected by substance use; however, timely intervention is crucial. He expressed
concern over the increasing prevalence of cannabis use and explained that recovery from substance
dependence may require prolonged treatment and sustained support.
The Additional Director further highlighted the financial difficulties faced by many families in accessing
rehabilitation services. He informed the participants about the availability of rehabilitation facilities,
including Sanjeevi Rehabilitation Centre, Namchi, with 15 beds, and Jagriti Rehabilitation Centre,
Sichey, with 50 beds, subject to availability and applicable admission conditions. He clarified that
rehabilitation alone does not guarantee complete recovery and underscored the importance of prevention,
early intervention, counselling and continued family support.
He observed that peer pressure, family-related stress and other social circumstances could contribute to
substance use. He stressed that awareness efforts should extend beyond affected individuals to include
their families and friends, thereby promoting a supportive environment for recovery. He further emphasised
that substance abuse affects people across different age groups and has increasingly penetrated rural
communities in Sikkim. He urged Anganwadi Workers, as frontline functionaries, to extend their support to
the Department in strengthening community-level interventions. He reiterated that counselling is an
important initial step towards seeking appropriate treatment and highlighted the need to address the
broader social and developmental consequences of substance abuse.
Shri Ram Kumar Tamang, Joint Director, Social Welfare Department, subsequently addressed the gathering and highlighted the adverse impact of substance abuse on individuals, families and society. He
emphasised the importance of collective responsibility and community participation in addressing the
growing challenge of substance abuse. He urged the participants to contribute actively towards awareness
generation and prevention efforts at the grassroots level. He also served as the Master of Ceremonies
(MC) for the programme and administered the pledge under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA),
encouraging all participants to reaffirm their commitment towards building a substance-free society.
Smt. Santoshi Khanal, Nurse, CAM Chuwatar, delivered an overview of the Centre for Addiction
Medicine (CAM) and highlighted the growing concern of substance abuse in rural areas. She described
Anganwadi Workers as important links between the community and the health sector, with the ability to
facilitate awareness, early identification and access to appropriate support services.
During her session, she explained the meaning of addiction, its common signs and symptoms, and the role
of Anganwadi Workers in identifying and supporting individuals experiencing substance-related problems.
She also sensitised the participants on appropriate measures to be taken when encountering a person
struggling with addiction, emphasising the importance of understanding, empathy, timely referral and
coordination with the relevant health services.
The programme served as an important platform for interaction, experience-sharing and capacity-building
among Anganwadi Workers on the issue of substance abuse. The sessions reinforced the importance of grassroots-level awareness, early identification, counselling, family participation and coordination between
the Social Welfare Department and the health sector.
The programme concluded with a renewed commitment by the participants to support the objectives of the
Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan and contribute towards building a healthier, safer and substance-free society
in Sikkim
