INDIA''S FIRST ANTI-DRUG AWARENESS PARK COMING UP IN VIZAG''S CENTRAL PARK The Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) has launched construction of a unique anti-drug awareness initiative - the "Yuvagalam Anti‑Drug Glow Theme Park" - in the heart of Vizag. The project was virtually inaugurated on October 11 by Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu. Spread over 2 acres within Central Park, the park is being developed at a cost of ₹3.5 crore. Designed to raise awareness about drug abuse among the youth, the park combines education, immersive art, and psychological support. Highlights of the Park: Inspired by the “Drugs Vaddu Bro” campaign launched during IT Minister Nara Lokesh’s Yuvagalam Padayatra. Features include glow-in-the-dark installations, artistic sculptures, and visual storytelling to portray the dangers of substance abuse. A 15-minute awareness video, counselling centres, and psychology classes will provide informative and emotional support for visitors. The park also aims to visually demonstrate how drug use impairs human senses, contrasting it with vibrant scenes of healthy living. VMRDA Chairman M. V. Pranav Gopal described the project as the first of its kind in the world, emphasizing its goal to motivate and educate the younger generation. Minister K. Rammohan Naidu, along with local leaders including MLA Vamsi Krishna Srinivas and Metropolitan Commissioner K. S. Vishwanathan, lauded the initiative and committed support for its successful execution. Significance: The park is envisioned not just as a recreational space but as a symbolic public platform for social change. It seeks to: Build awareness on drug risks among students and the general public. Offer counselling and psychological resources. Promote community engagement through creative and interactive anti-drug messaging. As concerns over drug abuse continue to rise nationally, this Vizag-based project sets an example of how urban planning can align with social responsibility.

RAKSHA MANTRI BATS FOR ''4C'' STRATEGY AND REFORMS IN UN PEACEKEEPING Emphasizing the need for enhanced Consultation, Cooperation, Coordination, and Capacity Building (4C), Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh called on United Nations Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) to unite in addressing the evolving challenges in peacekeeping operations and advancing global peace. He was speaking at the inaugural session of the Chiefs’ Conclave of UNTCC, hosted for the first time by India at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi from October 14–16. Highlighting the increasing complexities in peacekeeping environments — including asymmetric warfare, terrorism, fragile political systems, pandemics, and natural disasters — Shri Rajnath Singh urged countries with advanced technological and financial resources to step up their contributions in terms of troops, logistics, and specialised technologies. He stressed that secure communication systems, surveillance tools, and unmanned platforms are essential to enhance the safety and effectiveness of peacekeeping missions. "Today''s peacekeeping demands more than bravery — it requires innovation, adaptability, and a comprehensive mission-level approach," he said, adding that the success of missions hinges on early deployment, adequate resourcing, and strong mandates that address root causes of conflict. The Raksha Mantri strongly advocated for reformed multilateralism — one that reflects current global realities, includes all voices, addresses modern challenges, and prioritizes human welfare. He warned that without systemic reforms, the UN risks a crisis of confidence. Reaffirming India’s long-standing commitment to the UN, Shri Rajnath Singh stated that over 2.9 lakh Indian personnel have participated in more than 50 missions globally. Indian troops, police, and medical teams have operated with professionalism and compassion from the Congo to Korea and South Sudan to Lebanon. He showcased India’s contributions not just in manpower, but also in capacity building, particularly through the Centre for UN Peacekeeping (CUNPK) in New Delhi, which has trained personnel from over 90 countries. He highlighted India’s ability to enhance interoperability and build shared understanding among peacekeepers. Under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, India has developed cost-effective indigenous defence technologies, including land mobility platforms, UAVs, medical support systems, and secure communications — all vital for modern peacekeeping. A significant highlight of Shri Rajnath Singh’s address was the role of Indian women in peacekeeping. He said India has led the way, with its all-women Formed Police Unit in Liberia becoming a global symbol of empowerment. Indian women peacekeepers today serve in South Sudan, Golan Heights, and Lebanon, leading patrols, mentoring local communities, and fostering trust. In 2024, an Indian Army woman officer was awarded the UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year for her work in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He also praised the contribution of Indian medical teams deployed in UN field hospitals, stating that they have provided critical healthcare under extremely challenging circumstances and embody the UN''s humanitarian ethos. Addressing India’s vision on the global stage, he said the aspiration to become a Vishwa Guru (world teacher) is rooted not in dominance but in the spirit of cooperation and shared progress. Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, he emphasized India’s foundational belief in non-violence, truth, and peace as moral strengths, not just absence of war. He cautioned against the conduct of some nations that flout international norms or seek to impose unilateral rules. In contrast, India remains committed to a rules-based international order, while continuing to push for reforms in outdated global institutions. General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff, in his welcome remarks, reaffirmed the Indian Army''s commitment to excellence, innovation, and capacity building in peacekeeping. He underscored India’s scalable Aatmanirbhar defence solutions and the need for inclusivity, interoperability, and modernization in UN missions. Also present at the event were Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, and India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, along with other dignitaries. The Chiefs’ Conclave includes military leaders from 32 nations, including Bangladesh, Brazil, Egypt, France, Ghana, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. The platform aims to foster dialogue on operational challenges, best practices, and future pathways for effective peacekeeping. Defence exhibitions held alongside the event promote shared technological capacity building. The conclave embodies the Indian ethos of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” — the world is one family — and aims to lay the foundation for a stronger, inclusive, and future-ready UN peacekeeping framework.