Media Release

Udupi, Mar 5: Manipal College of Health Professions (MCHP) a constituent college of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) launched NashaMukt Club and Nature Club at Sharada Hall (the college Auditorium) at the ground Floor of MCHP on March 3.

Over 100 members including a representation of students and teachers from the 18 departments of MCHPwere in attendance to witness the launch of the clubs. The event was presided over by Dr G ArunMaiya, dean, MCHP, MAHE.

The faculty advisor for the club from MCHP, Binoy K Kuriakose welcomed the audience. The chief guest, Dr GeethaMaiya, director, department of Student Affairs, MAHE, who is also the principal investigator for the project NashaMukt Udupi Abhiyan involving Young Leaders of MAHE, under the banner of NashaMukt Bharat Abhiyan by the government of India,inaugurated the NashaMukt Club at MCHP gave an inspiring talk outlining the perils of drug use and the need for a peer-support system to curb this problem. The glimpses of the activities conducted at MAHE as part of theNashaMukt Bharat Abhiyaan project were displayed through a short video. Dr Binil V, associate professor, Manipal College of Nursing the co-investigator for the NashaMukt Udupi Abhiyan administered the oath to all club members.

The clubs were inaugurated in the presence of special invited guests; Senior state co-ordinator Shreya Verma and State co-ordinators Eshwin and Mahesh Ambati of the Project Monitoring Unit from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.

They presented the findings and statistics of various studies from around India to stress the need for a NashaMukt Bharat Abhiyaan. They also commended the department of Student Affairs MAHE and the Manipal College of Health Professions for taking these bold steps towards eradicating substance use within the campus of MAHE.

Dr G Arun Maiya, inaugurated the Nature Club with the aim to channel the energy and vigor of students in their youth to inculcate a habit of caring for mother nature, and to curb issues thathamper our student community. The nature club at MCHP will be supported by the Department of Emergency Medical Technology and the Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics at MCHP.

Dr Freston Marc Sirur, course coordinator of Emergency Medical Technology at MCHP, explained the importance of Nature Club and lauded the efforts of the Student Affairs Committee of the College, headed by Indu Toby for this initiative.

The Director of Student Affairs, MAHE distributed mementos to the dignitaries for their support to the project.

Smrithi N, the president of Student Council, MCHP proposed the vote of thanks.