Himachal NGOs Launch ‘Sanjeevani’ to Combat Chitta Menace

Shimla, 25 September: Sixteen NGOs working on social issues across Himachal Pradesh met at Villaiz Park, Shimla, and resolved to form a state-level mother body named Sanjeevani to lead a coordinated campaign against the rising menace of chitta addiction among youth. The members said district-level efforts had been insufficient and stressed the need for a unified, large-scale movement that will combine public awareness, youth counselling, and a pledge to achieve near-total elimination of chitta from the state.

A 16-member steering committee was constituted: O.P. Sharma (Chief Advisor), Joginder Kanwar (Advisor), Mahendra Kumar (President), Naresh Sharma (General Secretary), Dr. Nitin Vyas (Vice-President) and other office-bearers and coordinators, with Manish Kumar named Secretary and D.P. Sharma as Treasurer. Sanjeevani will mobilise community leaders, run mass outreach programs, and hold a state-level event in Shimla in the first week of November. President Mahendra Kumar stated the organisation will rise above party politics and work inclusively to eradicate the social evil of chitta.