Srinagar concert encourages youth to take up sports, art and not turn to drugs

With an growing variety of younger drug addicts in Kashmir Valley, a music group from Srinagar has invited kids to a free live performance at Tagore Hall in Srinagar to unfold consciousness about ill-effects of medication.

According to Bilal Ahmad, organiser of the programme, the primary goal is to encourage the youth to spend time in productive actions like sports activities, music and artwork, and never flip to drug use.

“The theme is ‘Mehfuz Kashmir’ (Secure Kashmir). This is what we want for our youth– to be drug-free. We, Mizraab Academy, have organised this free event to inspire the young generation and remove the poison of drugs. Our focus is not just on music. It is on sports and arts as well. We want the youth to move away from drugs and involve themselves in good and productive things,” Ahmad stated.

Nasir Ali, an area resident, instructed ANI that he was glad that the academy had organised the present for the trigger, as drug habit numbers within the Valley have been growing as a consequence of unemployment and stress.

“Every year we see drug addiction numbers increase. In 2019, around 5,111 cases of drug addiction were revealed which is a matter of concern. Avenues in Kashmir are very limited. There is so much unemployment and youth are very stressed which is why they turn to drugs. For the last few decades, there has been a lot of turmoil which is why drug abuse has been on the rise,” Ali stated.

“Mizraab Academy is trying to engage youngsters in music, art, entertainment and sports. This programme gives us hope that the Jammu and Kashmir administration is coming forward to help organisations to spread awareness. I urge parents and elders to talk to their children and counsel them about the harmful effects of drugs,” he added.

“We hope to inculcate more youngsters into our art because that is what a country is made of– it’s art, culture and literature. We have chosen the theme of drugs because we heard that youth in Kashmir were involved in such activities and we wanted them to know that there are so many avenues. Intoxication is good, but only when it is through music, not through drugs and other substances that may harm your body,” Mehmeet Syed, a performer stated.

Shakir Ahmad, one other performer hoped that extra such programmes can be held to achieve all of the youth.

“I hope more youths come and see that there are a lot of avenues to get involved in. More programmes like these should be organised for youngsters. If even 10 people are inspired by our performance, we will be satisfied because they can go and inspire 10 more people.”

(This story has been revealed from a wire company feed with out modifications to the textual content.)

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