• District Mentor emphasises grassroots Monitoring, Youth Engagement, Preventive Strategy

UDHAMPUR: Administrative Secretary to the Labour and Employment Department Kumar Rajeev Ranjan, who is designated as District Mentor for Udhampur, chaired a meeting today to review the implementation of the Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyan in the district.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner Minga Sherpa; Additional District Development Commissioner Jugal Kishore; Additional Deputy Commissioner Prem Singh, General Manager DIC; Chief Planning Officer; Assistant Commissioner Revenue Assistant Commissioner Development, Assistant Commissioner Panchayat and other district and sectoral officers, including representatives from the Police Department.

At the outset, the Additional Deputy Commissioner delivered a detailed PowerPoint presentation outlining the proposed District Action Plan for the 100-day Nasha Mukt Abhiyan. The Deputy Commissioner also provided key inputs and suggestions to strengthen the strategy.

While reviewing the action plan, the District Mentor emphasized the need to devise a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for systematic follow-ups. He directed for appointing nodal officers at Panchayat, village and ward levels to ensure continuous monitoring and accountability.

Ranjan stressed the importance of focusing on quantifiable outcomes and called for the activation of youth clubs to function as grassroots-level support systems. These clubs, he noted, should act as ā€œeyes and earsā€ of the administration by providing feedback and identifying individuals vulnerable to drug abuse.

He further highlighted the need for convergence between the Youth Engagement and Empowerment Plan and the Nasha Mukt Abhiyan to ensure a coordinated and impactful approach.

Emphasizing capacity building, the Mentor directed all departments to achieve saturation in online awareness and training programs, supplemented by regular follow-ups. He also underscored the importance of developing preventive IEC (Information, Education and Communication) material, including ā€œDo’s and Don’tsā€ related to drug use and motivational content targeting youth.

District Mentor called for the involvement of religious leaders and successful entrepreneurs as ambassadors for youth clubs and also suggested the constitution of Mahila Nigrani Samitis to strengthen community-level vigilance.

Additionally, he proposed the development of a dedicated mobile application to provide easy access to IEC materials, helpline numbers and information on the nearest medical facilities. He also emphasized wide publicity of toll-free helpline numbers at district, block and Panchayat levels.

Special focus was laid on targeting the 14–18 age group, identified as the most vulnerable segment. The Mentor further recommended the development of psychometric tools to identify at-risk individuals and the creation of a Google-based feedback mechanism for public participation.

The meeting concluded with a commitment from all stakeholders to work in a coordinated and mission-driven manner to achieve the objectives of a drug-free Udhampur.

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In loving memory of Dr. Priya Ranjan: A mentor who treated me like family
A Profound Loss: JK Monitor Mourns the Passing of Founding Chairman Dr. Priya Ranjan

We at JK Monitor are profoundly saddened by the sudden demise of our Founding Chairman, Dr. Priya Ranjan.IN LOVING MEMORY Dr Priya Ranjan

A brilliant mind who studied at Netarhat Residential School and graduated in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur before earning his PhD from the University of Maryland, Dr. Ranjan chose to return to India and dedicate his life to teaching, research and social good.

His pioneering work in networked systems, AI, robotics and biomedical applications—especially computer-vision tools for early detection of cancer and heart disease—reflected his deep belief that advanced technology must serve humanity.

For more than 15 years at JK Monitor, he remained a loyal friend, mentor and collaborator, marked by rare humility, intellectual integrity and quiet generosity. His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. Priya, you will be deeply missed. Your life continues to remind us that knowledge finds its highest purpose in the service of others.

— Team JK Monitor

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