Agartala, January 29, 2026: Brigadier Nishant Chandel, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of 21 Sector Assam Rifles, on Thursday delivered a strong message on parental responsibility and youth vulnerability during the Bartalap Programme organized by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Government of Tripura. Speaking on the theme “Nasha Mukt Bharat”, he cautioned that India’s socio-economic fabric could be undermined if parents fail to guide their children in the digital age.
Chandel emphasized that today’s youth are increasingly exposed to diverse and often misleading online content, largely due to the widespread use of smartphones. “The youths are the medium to destroy the socio-economic scenario of India and for that the parents need to take care of their children,” he said, pointing out that busy schedules often lead parents to hand over smartphones to children as a substitute for attention.
He contrasted the present with earlier times when parents spent more time with their children. “Earlier, our parents gave much of their time with us and of course there were no means of smart entertainments like smart phones,” he noted. Now, children spend hours scrolling through reels without guidance, absorbing content indiscriminately. This, he warned, can distort their moral compass and leave them vulnerable to negative influences.
Highlighting the emotional gap between parents and children, Chandel observed that many youngsters return home from school examinations without anyone to ask about their performance, as parents remain occupied with financial responsibilities. Over time, he said, children may feel neglected and turn to external influences, which may not always be positive. “When child reaches to a certain age, drugs become their part of life,” he cautioned.
Calling for introspection, Brigadier Chandel urged citizens to stop blaming the system or society and instead look inward. “If you don’t care and give time to your children, then some other will care that won’t be good. Or else very bad situation is going to come. The target is not you, target is India, but you are a medium,” he warned.
Apart from Brigadier Chandel, the programme also saw addresses by Asit Kumar Das, Additional District Magistrate and Collector, West Tripura; Achintam Kilikdar, Deputy Commissioner, Social Welfare and Secondary Education; Debasish Lodh, Assistant Director, ICA; Chameli Saha, Member of the Tripura Commission for Protection of Child Rights; and Pranab Sarkar, President of the Agartala Press Club.
The Bartalap Programme, organized by PIB Tripura, served as a platform to reinforce the national campaign for a Nasha Mukt Bharat, underlining the crucial role of families in safeguarding the future of India’s youth.
