A structured youth movement targeting narcotics demand reduction has officially taken shape at Gauhati University. The inaugural session of the Four Corner Club brought together educators, government officials, and community advocates to establish an ongoing campaign against substance misuse across Assam. Rather than focusing solely on law enforcement action to choke supplies, the drive places students at the heart of community-level interventions.
Linking Classroom Credits to Community Action
A transformative decision emerging from the gathering involves tying social work directly to the university grading structure. Vice-Chancellor Prof Nani Gopal Mahanta endorsed a proposal granting academic credits to learners who dedicate time to structured social reform projects through the club. This integration will follow the institution’s established regulatory guidelines. The system seeks to create a permanent network of motivated youth who balance their formal education with active, hands-on resistance to chemical dependency.
Institutional Synergy for Long-Term Prevention
The operational framework relies on a multi-party alliance consisting of the Srimanta Foundation for Culture and Society, Gauhati University, and the Recovery Wellness Society, in cooperation with the Directorate of Social Justice and Empowerment under the Government of Assam. Addressing the attendees, retired IPS officer and Srimanta Foundation managing trustee Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta emphasized the necessity of curbing narcotic consumption patterns alongside police crackdowns on trafficking rings. He conducted dedicated discussions with pupils, parents, and faculty members regarding outreach targets laid out for the subsequent two years.
A Framework Grounded in Four Pillars
The philosophical foundation of the Four Corner Club rests upon four core relationships, specifically categorized as Myself, My Family, My Teachers, and My Community. This structure aims to cultivate personal resilience, encourage transparent household dialogue, and enlist educational mentors in early prevention. Anupam Rohit, heading projects at Recovery Wellness Society, presented the club’s operating model alongside an initial thirty-day roadmap, while clinical psychologist Priyanka Bhattacharjee conducted a technical discussion exploring psychological health challenges connected to chemical dependency.
Structured Rollout and Field Implementation
Institutional backing was reiterated by Gauhati University Registrar Prof Utpal Sarma and Assam Social Justice and Empowerment Director Suswapna Kakoty. The opening greeting was delivered by Dr Ranjan Kakoti, holding the dual roles of Dean of Students’ Affairs and NSS nodal officer. Actor Udayan Duarah, serving as the club’s youth ambassador, guided an introductory ice-breaking segment to foster peer rapport. Executive responsibility for driving the agreed schedule has been assigned to faculty member and nodal coordinator Guddu P Basumatary, who will supervise regular fieldwork involving the designated cohort of learners, families, and academic staff following an anti-addiction pledge.
