Prof. Anubhuti Dubey, Dean, Student Welfare and Professor of Psychology, highlighted the psychological and behavioural dimensions of excessive alcohol consumption and its possible impact on emotional well-being, academic performance, relationships, decision-making and social functioning. She encouraged students to adopt healthy ways of managing stress through sports, physical exercise, yoga, creative activities, hobbies and constructive social engagement.
Shri Manoj Rai, Traffic Inspector, sensitised students about road safety and the serious risks associated with driving after consuming alcohol. He explained that alcohol impairs judgement, concentration, coordination and reaction time and substantially increases the possibility of road crashes, injuries and fatalities. He urged students to strictly avoid driving after consuming alcohol and to encourage their peers to follow safe and responsible road-use practices. Advocate Abhishek Srivastava, Chairman, Consumer Guild and Advocate, High Court, Lucknow, addressed the participants on the legal and consumer-safety dimensions of irresponsible alcohol consumption and drunk driving. He explained the legal consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol and emphasised that responsible behaviour, compliance with applicable laws and informed decision-making are essential for protecting oneself and other road users.
Advocate Amjad Siddiqui, Advocate, High Court, Lucknow, also sensitised the students on relevant legal issues and the importance of awareness of legal rights and responsibilities. Shri Siddharth Dayal and Prof. Vandana Singh, Faculty of Law, DDU Gorakhpur University, served as the Programme Coordinator and coordinated the academic and institutional arrangements for the workshop.
Shri Om Prakash Mishra, Social Worker, anchored the workshop and facilitated the proceedings and interaction with students. The discussions also highlighted the broader public-health and social concerns related to alcohol consumption, including binge drinking, peer pressure, impaired decision-making, mental well-being, family and social relationships, academic performance and road safety. Participants emphasised that reducing alcohol-related harm requires a comprehensive and sustained approach involving health and psychological awareness, legal literacy, road-safety education, family support, community participation and effective implementation of applicable laws.
The workshop concluded with a strong call for university students to adopt healthy and responsible lifestyles, avoid drunk driving, resist peer pressure and actively contribute to creating a safer, healthier and more responsible society. The programme reaffirmed the important role of universities, civil society organisations, legal professionals, police authorities, psychologists and youth themselves in preventing alcohol-related harm through continuous awareness, education and collective action.
