AMRITSAR: Villages situated near the Indo-Pakistan international border in the Amritsar district are facing a severe crisis. The youth are not only increasingly falling prey to the peril of drugs but also struggling with limited access to basic infrastructure, education, and job opportunities which has led to a rising sense of frustration among the local population. In the absence of viable economic opportunities, many young people are turning to drugs as a means of escape from their bleak reality.
Local border residents are of the view that there is a need to understand why the youth are doing drugs and believe that it is primarily because of a lack of a conducive environment, employment facilities, and basic infrastructure, which needs to be improved.
They also opine that to address this pressing issue, there is an urgent need for the local administration to prioritise the development of these villages.
When contacted, Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney said that in a bid to transform the border areas of Amritsar, the local administration unveiled a comprehensive, multi-pronged strategy focused on key sectors such as education, employment, women empowerment, agriculture, sports, skill development, health, and infrastructure.
Sakshi informed that efforts are underway to ensure social security for workers, simplify access to benefits, and empower entrepreneurs in 19 different categories. As part of the initiative, the administration is also focusing on providing career counselling, skill development, and wage employment opportunities for students.
She said that a major focus of the initiative is to promote mental wellness among students in the border areas.
Through structured interventions, counselling, and partnerships, the administration is working to improve emotional well-being. A Personality Assessment Test (PAT) will be administered to categorise students by their mental wellness needs, allowing for targeted group and individual counselling.
“This program is set to provide ongoing support through counsellors and peer networks. Monthly reviews and progress tracking will ensure continuous improvement,” said Sakshi.
In addition to mental health initiatives, the administration is launching a new reading space near the Panchayat office. This creative, well-maintained space will offer students access to a wide variety of books, promoting reading and learning.
She added that with the Panchayat overseeing its upkeep, the space will serve as a long-term educational resource for the local community.
The expected outcomes of these initiatives include improved emotional well-being for students, enhanced teacher and peer support, and a scalable model for mental wellness that can be replicated in other areas.
Sakshi said that the administration is also upgrading primary health centres with modern medical equipment and better facilities.
