Students staged an anti-drug rally from Sri Venkateswara University (SVU) to NTR Circle in Tirupati on Saturday (August 22, 2026). Tirupati Urban Development Authority (TUDA) chairman C. (Dollars) Divakar Reddy, SVU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Tata Narasinga Rao and Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Board member G. Bhanu Prakash Reddy also participated in the rally.

Speaking to the media on the occasion, Mr. Divakar Reddy said, “The rally was taken out with the objective of making Andhra Pradesh a drug-free State and Tirupati a drug-free city. Students and youth participated in large numbers and raised slogans against use of narcotic substances. The youth must not get addicted to drugs, which pose a serious risk not only to the individual’s life but also to the family and society.”

“The government is providing many opportunities to the youth in the fields of business, skill development, and others. The youth must take advantage of those opportunities and rise to a higher level in life. The youth should be partners in the development of the country,” he said, advising the youth not to destroy their future due to the drug addiction.

Mr. Tata Narasinga Rao emphasised the need to conduct continuous awareness programmes in educational institutions to prevent students from being drawn to drugs. He noted that a habit initially adopted for fun at a young age could gradually escalate into a serious problem. He stated that the SVU would take measures to provide counselling and support to help students.

Mr. Bhanu Prakash urged everyone to strive to keep the spiritual city of Tirupati completely free from drugs. He advised the students and youth to stay away from bad habits and focus on positive activities such as academics, skill development, and sports.