Bhaichung delivers pep talk urging students to Say No to Drugs

EAST COPS ORGANIZE INTERSCHOOL DEBATE ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE
GANGTOK, 26 June: An interschool debate competition on the topic, “Is the intervention of teachers in the personal matters of students justified?’, was organized by Tashi Namgyal Academy here today in coordination with Sikkim Police, East District. 
Sixteen students from eight schools in and around the Capital- TNA, Paljor Namgyal Girls Senior Secondary School, Sir Tashi Namgyal Senior Secondary School, Holy Cross School, Taktse International School, Enchey Senior Secondary School, Deorali Girls Senior Secondary School, Bahai’s Secondary School and West Point Senior Secondary School participated in the competition. Ace footballer Bhaichung Bhutia was present as the chief guest.
Bhaichung called on students to cultivate hard work in pursuit of excellence instead of taking the easy way out and giving up.
His appeal was essentially a pep-talk nuanced with the self-effacing humility which one has come to associate with Sikkim’s proudest export. When he tried to motivate the students against giving in, he was obviously speaking from experience, having seen many talented sportspersons from these parts quitting too early in their careers and turning bitter from the experience. Substance Abuse, he shared, preyed on such weaknesses and ended up consuming lives.
In this regard, he reminded the young that when it came to addiction, it was not the drug-dependent who suffered and that everyone in his/her circle of family and friends suffered as well. The collateral damage of substance abuse was too high and they did not want to carry the guilt of the damaging so many lives of people they care about, he stressed. Think instead of the contribution you can make to the society, he appealed.
Superintendent of Police [East], Dr. MS Tuli urged the students to take inspiration from how Bhaichung had conducted himself. “Bhaichung is a role model for students who, as an icon, paved a way for many youngsters in sports and sports related activities,” he expressed.
The SP also announced today that such the debate will now be instituted as an annual feature with a rolling trophy.
TNA, speaking for the motion, was declared the winner with one of its speakers, Ashwin Niroula, adjudged the best speaker.