Community-led model to tackle drug abuse in 300 Haryana villages

A community-led initiative to tackle drug abuse and improve rural youth’s access to education, career guidance and skill training was launched in 300 villages of Haryana’s Jind district on Sunday (October 11, 2026) under the “Panchgama Vikas Model”.

Conceived by Chandigarh Director-General of Police Sagar Preet Hooda, the voluntary, non-political initiative has been launched by the Haryana Professional Forum and Jind Social Forum, a network of volunteers with roots in Haryana.

Speaking at the launch event at Chaudhary Ranbir Singh University in Jind, Mr. Hooda said the model sought to mobilise educated professionals, businesspersons and other resourceful people to help rural communities access opportunities in education, employment and skill development.

Under the model, the 300 villages have been divided into 60 clusters of five villages each. Every cluster has a designated lead and a five-member team responsible for identifying local needs, engaging residents and guiding young people towards educational and career opportunities. The lead is preferably a professional, such as a doctor, engineer or professor, from outside the cluster.