The Ludhiana district administration has started a 10-day dairy skill programme to help youths recovering from drug addiction build sustainable livelihoods and avoid relapse. The initiative was launched on Thursday at the Government Rehabilitation Centre in Jagraon under the Punjab government’s “Yudh Nasheya Virudh” campaign.

Officials said the programme aims to train recovering individuals in practical dairy-farming skills that can lead to self-employment. Deputy Director (Dairy Development) Surinder Singh conducted the inaugural session and gave hands-on training in dairy activities, focusing on techniques that participants can use immediately after completing rehabilitation.

Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain said the administration wants to ensure that no recovering youth returns to drugs because of unemployment or lack of purpose. He added that expert officials from the Dairy Development Department will train participants throughout the course and that more vocational programmes will be launched in the coming months to support long-term rehabilitation.

The training is being carried out in coordination with Civil Surgeon Dr. Ramandeep Kaur, Lead District Manager Gurdev Singh Kang, Employment Generation and Skill Development Officer Jeevandeep Singh, and Centre Incharge Dr. Vivek Goyal.

After completing the programme, eligible trainees will be assisted in availing government-scheme loans through the Lead District Bank to start small dairy units. Officials said this pathway will help reformed youth reintegrate into society with dignity and break the cycle of addiction by giving them a stable source of income.