Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday urged students to remain alert to the dangers of mobile addiction and the drug mafia.

“Today’s youth face two major threats: drug abuse and smartphone addiction. They must distance themselves from both. The more they avoid these habits, the better they can protect their own future as well as the nation’s. Only by staying free from addiction can young people fulfill their responsibilities toward their family, society, and country," said Yogi Adityanath.

Presiding over the concluding ceremony of the 93rd Founder’s Week Celebration of the Maharana Pratap Shiksha Parishad at Mahayogi Gorakhnath University on Wednesday, the Chief Minister welcomed the Chief Guest, Uttarakhand Governor Lieutenant General Gurmeet Singh (Retd).

Yogi Adityanath is Mahant (head priest) of the Gorakhnath Math in Gorakhpur, a position he has held since 2014. He has also represented the Gorakhpur constituency as a MP for five consecutive terms from 1998 until 2017. He currently serves as a MLA from the Gorakhpur Urban constituency.

As a teacher and guardian, he cautioned that the drug mafia is attempting to trap the younger generation, and academic institutions must remain equally vigilant.

CM Yogi said, “The youth must prepare to counter these new challenges because enemies of the nation are constantly attempting to infiltrate society in different ways.” “We must not give them that opportunity,” he said.

CM Yogi Adityanath said that youth must reduce the time they spend on smartphones, adding, “Though difficult at first, they should cut back gradually. Limit mobile use to half an hour or an hour only when necessary. Use it mainly for essential calls, not mindless scrolling.”

He warned that excessive smartphone use strains eyesight and dulls the mind, weakening intelligence, judgment, and even physical abilities. Therefore, youth should avoid smartphones as much as possible. Highlighting the need to stay updated with emerging technologies, the Chief Minister said the world has entered a new age of artificial intelligence, IoT, drones, and robotics. “We cannot and should not distance ourselves from technology.”

He said the fear that technology reduces jobs is unfounded. Instead, new opportunities naturally emerge with technological advancement. Youth must prepare themselves mentally and physically for this future. Addressing the students, the Chief Minister said, “Success comes to those who remain patient and do not lose heart. Defeat occurs only when one’s mindset turns negative.”

Instead of blaming others or complaining about circumstances, he said, we must choose to “light a lamp” together. "When everyone moves forward collectively, darkness disappears."

CM Yogi emphasized the value of healthy competition and teamwork, not just in sports but in life. He reminded the students that shortcuts never lead to real success.

CM Yogi added, “While technology is making life easier, it also brings new challenges. Both youth and educational institutions must be prepared to face them with determination and resilience.”

At the main ceremony of the Founder’s Week, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Uttarakhand Governor Lieutenant General Gurmeet Singh honored outstanding institutions, teachers, staff members, and students from the postgraduate, undergraduate, and high school/intermediate levels, along with winners of various competitions held across the Maharana Pratap Shiksha Parishad institutions. Around 150 awards were presented on stage, while nearly 700 additional awards were distributed by the respective institutions.

During the event, Uttarakhand Governor Lieutenant General Gurmeet Singh and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also released the memorial volume dedicated to former Maharana Pratap Shiksha Parishad Chairman Prof. U.P. Singh, as well as the book ‘Jeevan Mulya Praman Patra Sangrah Pathyakram’ authored by MPPG College, Jungle Dhusan. On this occasion, CM Yogi presented a memento to Saurabh Singh, Managing Director of Plaksha, the publisher of the memorial volume.