Dandi March 2.0 Cycling Yatra for Drug-Free Andhra Concludes at AU

The Vibrants of Kalam Trust on Wednesday concluded its 17-day cycling yatra, Dandi March 2.0, a statewide awareness campaign dedicated to building a “Drug Free Andhra Pradesh.”

Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s historic 1930 Salt March, the initiative was led by founder Vijay Kalam with a focus on sensitising youth to the growing threat of narcotics and substance abuse. The campaign sought to combine symbolism with direct outreach across educational institutions.

The yatra commenced from Sri Venkateswara University in Tirupati and traversed 13 districts, covering a total distance of 1,036 km before culminating at Andhra University in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday.

Vijay Kalam said the seven-member core team undertook extensive on-ground engagement during the journey, visiting 25 universities along with several engineering and postgraduate colleges. At each stop, interactive awareness sessions were conducted and students were encouraged to take a formal pledge committing themselves to a drug-free lifestyle.

He noted that the mission received strong institutional backing from the Police and Excise Departments throughout the route. A total of 68 public representatives, including Ministers, MPs and MLAs, participated in different phases of the campaign, lending support to the cause.

Collectors and senior police officials also extended their solidarity at various locations along the route, reinforcing the government’s stance on curbing drug abuse, he added.

The Trust said the concluding event at Andhra University marked not an end but the continuation of a larger public awareness movement against narcotics in the State.