Shillong, Sep 20: Meghalaya Governor Chandrashekhar H Vijayashankar on Saturday flagged the menace of drug addiction among the youths of the state, high incidence of HIV and TB and prevalence of cancer in the state.
Speaking during the annual get-together of harmony organised by the Central Puja Committee (CPC) at the Ramakrishna Mission, Laitumkhrah here, the Governor said that he is worried that 10 per cent of the state’s population is afflicted by drugs.
“They are going off the track. If at all one wants to save the younger generation, make them understand the responsibility towards family and the society,” Vijayashankar said.
Concerned over the high incidence of HIV, the Governor said that the religious heads have a challenge before them. “You have to take it as a challenge,” he said.
Vijayashankar said that the government is doing the best to fight HIV but as religious heads, they should start to talk to their faithfuls and their family to find out their background.
The Governor was also concerned that a person having HIV was also suffering from TB, asking how such an individual can survive.
He also flagged the high prevalence of cancer in the state.
“Until and unless we address these issues our society cannot be a righteous society,” he said.
The Governor said that religion is a way of life and its main purpose is self realisation. “If I realise myself then I can understand the whole universe, who is almighty,” Vijayashankar said.
“We love everybody, we try to help everyone,” he added.
According to him those who do not understand the purpose of religion create nuisance in the society.
The Governor urged faith-based organizations, civil society groups, and community leaders to work hand in hand with the government to spread awareness, strengthen preventive measures, and provide timely support to affected individuals. He emphasized that the youth, who are the future of the state, must be protected from these challenges and empowered with education, opportunities, and positive values to become responsible citizens.
He thanked the CPC for being able to gather various religious heads under one roof for a common cause.
Vijayashankar said that being from Karnataka, such an environment where all religious heads coming together is difficult to find in that state.
