Shopian, Apr 25: People stood in long queues, all carrying books, as they waited to donate them at designated locations in south Kashmir’s Shopian district.
Senior officials from the district administration received the books and registered them in the names of the donors.
The donations ranged from academic texts and novels to books on current affairs, with residents contributing enthusiastically.
“We are very happy to see such a novel initiative launched by the administration”, said Gulzar Ahmad, a book donor.
The initiative has been launched by the district administration as part of the 100-day Nasha Mukt Abhiyan to promote book culture.
“Promote Books and Not Drugs is the theme of the programme”, said an official.
The drive saw participation from students, residents, and civil society members, with collection centers set up at Municipal Council Shopian and Zainapora and across key locations in the district.
Officials said the response exceeded expectations, reflecting a growing public willingness to support initiatives aimed at promoting education and social awareness.
The campaign also seeks to create community libraries and encourage reading habits among youth, particularly in areas vulnerable to substance abuse.
“The message is simple: share books, not drugs”, said a senior official.
Authorities said the collected books would be distributed to schools, libraries and community centres to ensure wider access.
Over the past several years, the area has been grappling with drug addiction, with young people increasingly turning to even hard drugs such as heroin. Some have even lost their lives to prolonged drug use.
District Magistrate Shopian Shishir Gupta told Greater Kashmir that the initiative aims to promote positive alternatives such as reading by engaging youth in constructive activities through a book donation drive.
He said citizens are being encouraged to donate new or used books at designated centres, adding that the campaign seeks to raise awareness about the harmful effects of drugs while fostering a culture of knowledge and hope.
Gupta said the response so far has been encouraging and urged people to contribute more books to make the initiative a success, with the broader goal of building a healthier, drug-free society.
