Dinesh Kamath's news 'Yes to life and no to drugs through Music & drama' that was published in Newsband

Yes to life and no to drugs through Music & drama

By Dinesh Kamath

(Above Picture): Senior PI. C Deshmukh talking to the children as Dr. Jayakar Ellis and ACP Vivek Massal look on.

NAVI MUMBAI: In continuation with the series of seminars on drug and sexual abuse in different Civic and Private Schools by the Navi Mumbai Turbhe MIDC Police and Heart Foundation, a musical and drama concert "Josh" was organized at Hotel Bliss Banquets, Turbhe, Navi Mumbai on Saturday 23 August 2014 on the same lines.

The program saw over 500 students from VIII - X standards and children from the slum areas taking part. "Preventing addiction among children and teens is the need of the hour. Music and drama is the most effective way of reaching out to them and drawing their attention to these issues. We were able to succeed in doing this with the children with the participation of Zamaars, a musical band from Dharavi and Arrows, a drama Company from Ahemdnagar," said Dr Jayakar Ellis, Founder President, Heart (Helping to Educate Associate Rehabilitate & Teach) Foundation. "Children these days are confronted with various addiction, peer pressure, broken homes and pressure to perform. Home surroundings also play a vital role in these areas. Thus we plan to continue such programs and touch the hearts of these tender ones," he added.

"We have had reports of drug usage and Tobacco products in schools and colleges. We want to try and prevent it before it starts so we have taken this initiative with Heart Foundation to reach out to the youngsters. We have chalked out a year long programs for the same," said Senior Police Inspector C Deshmukh.

"We are so happy that we could participate in such a lovely program. I did not know that drugs would be so dangerous. I will neither indulge in it nor allow my friends to do so," said Sachin Mane, a school student.

The program was attended by Shri S Umap, DCP, Zone 1, Shri Suresh Mengde, DCP-Crime, Shri Vivek Massal, ACP, Zone - 1 wherein all of them spoke on how the children should stay away from drugs. The above program was done under the guidance of Shri Umap and Shri Vivek Massal. Various Corporators from that area too attended the function.