To commemorate National Youth Day and to reaffirm the timeless teachings of Swami Vivekananda on self-discipline, mental strength, and conscious living, the Swami Vivekanand Chair, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut, successfully organized a workshop titled “Youth Mind Matters: Managing Screen Time & Substance Use” at the Satyajit Ray Auditorium.
The entire programme was conducted under the able supervision of Prof. (Dr.) Monika Mehrotra, Professor and Convener, Swami Vivekanand Chair, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut. Her visionary leadership, meticulous planning, and continuous academic oversight ensured the seamless execution of the programme and significantly enhanced its intellectual depth, discipline, and overall success.
The workshop aimed to sensitize students and young adults to the growing challenges posed by excessive screen exposure and substance use, while equipping them with practical, evidence-based strategies to promote mental well-being and balanced living. The key objectives included creating awareness about the psychological and behavioral impact of excessive screen time, promoting digital wellness and healthy technology usage habits, spreading awareness about substance use and its associated risks, and aligning youth well-being with the values of self-discipline, mental clarity, and conscious living advocated by Swami Vivekananda. The programme also sought to provide a meaningful platform for expert interaction and active student participation.
The programme commenced with a solemn floral tribute to Swami Vivekananda, symbolizing deep reverence for his enduring legacy and timeless ideals. This was followed by a warm and insightful welcome address by Prof. (Dr.) Sudhir Tyagi, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, who eloquently highlighted the relevance of Swami Vivekananda’s philosophy in the contemporary digital era. He further reaffirmed the university’s steadfast commitment to nurturing mentally resilient, ethically grounded, and socially responsible youth.
The first expert session on “Digital Wellness & Screen-Time Management Strategies” was delivered by Shri Adi Manohar Das, Member, International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Meerut. He offered a holistic and value-based perspective on mindful technology use, sharing practical strategies to balance digital engagement with physical, social, and spiritual activities.
The second expert session on “Understanding Substance Use – Risks, Realities & Prevention” was delivered by Dr. Seema Sharma, Senior Clinical Psychologist, Department of Psychiatry, Subharti Medical College, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University. She provided a comprehensive clinical overview of substance use, highlighting its psychological and physiological consequences, early warning signs, and effective prevention strategies, supported by relevant real-life examples.
An interactive Question & Answer session followed, during which students actively engaged with the experts on issues related to digital addiction, peer pressure, coping mechanisms, and the importance of seeking professional help when required.
The programme was efficiently and gracefully anchored by Dr. Juli, Ms. Devika Singh, and Ms. Anshika Kaushik, whose effective coordination ensured the smooth conduct of the sessions and sustained active engagement of the participants throughout the event.
The programme concluded with a formal Vote of Thanks proposed by Dr. Ajay Kumar Verma, Assistant Professor, Swami Vivekanand Chair, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, and Coordinator of the programme. He expressed sincere gratitude to the dignitaries, resource persons, organizing team, and participants for their valuable contributions. Certificates were distributed to the participants in recognition of their active involvement.
Overall, the workshop “Youth Mind Matters: Managing Screen Time & Substance Use” was successfully conducted and proved to be highly relevant, informative, and impactful. By integrating psychological insights, practical guidance, and value-based wisdom, the programme left a lasting impression on the participants and reaffirmed the university’s commitment to holistic education and youth mental well-being.
