Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, NISD and Punjabi University, Patiala Sign Landmark MoU
Partnership to Strengthen Social Welfare Initiatives
New Delhi, 7 Aug 2026: The National Institute of Social Defence (NISD), functioning under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, has signed a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Punjabi University, Patiala in New Delhi. The primary objective of this collaboration is to strengthen social defence, integrate social welfare into administrative training, promote joint training programmes, capacity building, and encourage impactful interventions at the grassroots level.
Representing Punjabi University at the signing ceremony were Dr. Damanjit Sandhu and Dr. Jagjit Singh Chatha. The event was graced by Sukhwinder Singh Bindra, Member, National Institute of Social Defence (NISD) and Special Member/Invitee, National Council for Control of Drug Abuse Research (NCCDR), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, as the Chief Guest. Also present were Dr. H.C. Sridhara Channakeshava Ranga Reddy, Mr. Vivek Kumar (NISD) and Ms. Tanya Sengupta (NISD).
Sukhwinder Singh Bindra said that the partnership would provide fresh momentum to research, evidence-based policymaking and inclusive development in the field of social welfare. He noted that the collaboration would play a vital role in further strengthening India’s social protection system.
He further informed that the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (Government of India) through the National Institute of Social Defence (NISD), had earlier signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Desh Bhagat University (DBU) to advance social welfare initiatives in Punjab and across the country.
Bindra said that his Ministry remains committed to steering young people away from substance abuse. He stated that the department, under the leadership of Union Minister of India for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar, will continue working for the welfare of youth and make every possible effort to promote their development while protecting them from drug addiction. He also highlighted the critical role of youth empowerment and awareness programmes in preventing substance abuse.
He reiterated that both he and his department are firmly committed to the welfare of Punjab and its youth and will continue taking necessary measures to safeguard young people from drug abuse. Stressing the importance of sports as a powerful tool to prevent addiction, he announced that sports kits would be distributed in the coming period to encourage young people to participate in sports and adopt healthy lifestyles. He added that more initiatives would also be launched to channel the energy of the younger generation in a positive direction and inspire them to stay away from drugs.
Sukhwinder Singh Bindra also shared that he had previously served as the State Chairperson of the Punjab Youth Development Board (Government of Punjab). During his tenure, he undertook several initiatives to encourage youth to stay away from drugs and actively participate in sports. Free sports kits were distributed to youth clubs, colleges and universities to promote sporting activities. He added that whenever athletes faced challenges, every possible effort was made to resolve their issues so that their sporting careers were not adversely affected. He affirmed that his department continues to extend full support to sportspersons and remains committed to addressing their concerns whenever required.
In his concluding remarks, Bindra expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar for their visionary leadership and continued commitment