'We are fighting a silent war': Kavita Khanna’s mission to save Punjab’s youth from the drug menace
She is spearheading a grassroots campaign against drug addiction among children
Kavita Khanna with AMG managing director Kalpesh Solanki (right) and chief operating officer Aditya Solanki (second from left)
second from left
By Mahesh LiloriyaMay 14, 2025
In an exclusive interview with Eastern Eye, Kavita Khanna—philanthropist, spiritual leader, and wife of the late actor and parliamentarian Vinod Khanna—speaks with calm intensity about her growing mission in Punjab. From completing her husband’s development work in Gurdaspur to spearheading a grassroots campaign against drug addiction among children, her journey is powered by purpose, compassion, and a deep sense of duty.
What began as a quiet return to the land where she spent two decades alongside her husband has evolved into a full-fledged movement to rescue Punjab’s youth through meditation, sports, and community resilience.
Kavita Ji, it’s an honour to have you with us. What drew you back to public life in Gurdaspur?
Thank you. Gurdaspur has always been close to my heart. I was actively involved for nearly 19 years while my late husband Vinodji represented the constituency in Parliament. After his passing in April 2017, I felt it was my responsibility to complete the work he began.
But when I returned after the COVID pandemic, I was deeply shaken by what I saw. There’s a full-blown drug crisis, especially among children. According to a government survey cited in Parliament, around 6.6 million people in Punjab use drugs—almost a quarter of the state’s population. Shockingly, over 10% of them are children, some as young as ten, addicted to opioids.
This isn’t just a public health issue. It’s a silent war—a proxy invasion targeting our next generation. And it demands an urgent, united response.
You’ve launched several grassroots programmes. What are the pillars of your intervention?
When I returned in 2022, I began working on a government mental health initiative under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, in collaboration with the Art of Living Foundation. We introduced a one-hour module on meditation and emotional well-being in schools. I personally conducted over 60 sessions, and we reached 600 schools. The impact was immediate—children responded with openness and sincerity.
Meditation and pranayama are not abstract concepts—they’re transformative tools. In environments riddled with trauma and broken homes, these practices offer children strength, stability and hope.
You’ve also brought in sports as a strategic tool to keep children away from drugs.
Yes. In 2023, we started to promote sports as a medium for transformation. We started in Gurdaspur and are now active in 167 villages. Having been a national-level swimmer myself, I know how sport builds discipline, camaraderie, and purpose.
Children who come to play for a couple of hours a day start leading structured, healthier lives. They return home to eat, study and rest. They stay off the streets. Our goal is to scale this up to all 1,200 villages in the Gurdaspur region.
What’s the long-term vision?
We are building a three-pronged model:
Mental wellness in schools – daily practice of pranayama and dhyana,
Village-level sports programmes – led by trained local coaches,
Community engagement – reclaiming public spaces and restoring dignity.
But we cannot do this alone. The scale of the crisis is vast. One-third of households in the region are affected by drugs, according to Punjab’s Director General of Police. The trauma these children carry is immense.
Meditation and sports aren’t luxuries—they are lifelines. And to institutionalise them, we need systemic support.
What would you like to say to the Indian diaspora and well-wishers around the world?
This is not just Punjab’s fight. It is India’s fight. It is a fight for our future—for the soul of our youth. If we lose one generation to drugs, we lose our national strength. So, I appeal to the Indian Diaspora to join this mission.
We are actively looking for:
Volunteers – psychologists, yoga teachers, sports coaches, educators, and mentors.
Collaborators – NGOs, schools, and brands who can provide equipment and visibility.
Donors – to help us build a sustainable organisational structure.
If you represent a foundation or a corporate CSR wing, or even if you’re an individual who cares, your support—financial or otherwise—can have a life-changing impact.
And to you, personally, what does this work represent?
Everything. Vinodji lived a life of transformation—from cinema to the ashram, to Parliament. His legacy was grounded in service, humility, and spiritual depth. The people of Gurdaspur adored him. This is my way of continuing that legacy—not as a political campaign, but as a spiritual and social calling.
This is my dharma. And I ask you to join me. Let’s rise to this challenge—for the children of Punjab, and for the future of India.
The world’s most powerful digital camera, designed to capture detailed images of the night sky, will reveal its first-ever photographs on 23 June 2025. The camera is housed at the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, located in the Chilean Andes, and is capable of capturing 3,200-megapixel images.
With a lens measuring 1.57 metres (not five metres as sometimes reported), the camera is part of the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) project. It has the sensitivity to detect objects as small as a golf ball from 24 kilometres (15 miles) away.
Built at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in California and transported to Chile in 2023, the camera will take around 1,000 images per night over the next decade. The LSST aims to map 20 billion galaxies, contributing to research on dark matter, dark energy, and the dynamic universe.
First images to be revealed during global live stream
The "First Look" event will be held on Monday, 23 June 2025, at 11am EDT (4pm BST), streamed live via the Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s official YouTube channel and website. The broadcast will showcase ultra-high-definition images and video captured by the telescope, giving the public and scientific community a first glimpse at its capabilities.
Organisers describe this as a landmark moment for astronomy and astrophysics, marking the start of a new era in space observation.
In addition to the live stream, hundreds of venues across the globe will host public watch parties. Viewers can visit the Rubin Observatory's First Look Watch Party website to find local listings.
The Rubin Observatory is named in honour of American astronomer Vera C. Rubin, known for her pioneering work on galaxy rotation rates and dark matter.
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry
partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Garavi Gujarat
Publications Ltd and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the
unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you
relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
Contact us at data@amg.biz to see how we manage and store your data.
A wave of spiritual upliftment swept through North London as Vaishnavacharya Pujya Goswami Shri Vrajrajkumarji Mahodayshri delivered a three-day series of discourses on the foundational pillars of Pushtimarg, organised by VYO UK at the Dhamecha Hall in Harrow. Devotees from across the UK gathered to immerse themselves in divine teachings, soulful vachanamrut, and rare spiritual insights that touched the essence of Vallabh Vedanta.
The event commenced on 11 June with a ceremonial padhramni at Shri Kunj, followed by daily discourses that explored the divine character of Shrinathji, the grace of Yamunaji, and the timeless legacy of Shri Mahaprabhuji. The highlight included the celebration of the 108 Shree Yamunaji Lotiji Utsav on 13 June, drawing hearts together in joy and reverence.
In his address, JeJeShri Vrajrajkumarji Mahodayshri shared a profound reflection: “What is the best character within you? Yamunaji teaches us to say ‘yes’ in every conversation with Thakorji — this is to truly listen, to understand, and to agree with grace. This is not just divine discipline but also the essence of our behaviour.”
He further emphasised the unified divinity of Shrinathji, Yamunaji, and Mahaprabhuji, reminding the congregation: “They may appear as different swaroop, but their tatva is one. To treat them as separate is a misunderstanding of divine unity.”
The discourses were graced by the presence of several dignitaries, including Gareth Thomas MP, Minister for Services, Small Businesses and Exports, along with Pradipbhai Dhamecha, Ketanbhai Kotecha, Vinodbhai Thakrar, Dipakbhai Jatania, Umiben Radia, and many other community figures who appreciated the rich spiritual experience.
In a heartfelt moment, Shri Vrajrajkumarji also offered condolences for the victims of the recent Air India crash in Ahmedabad.
The programme opened with a warm welcome address by Kanteshbhai Popat, Chairman of VYO UK. An overview of VYO’s ongoing and upcoming initiatives was shared by Jayshreeben Radia, President of VYO UK. The entire event was beautifully compered and hosted by Pratibhaben Lakhani, President of VYO North London – UK.
Keep ReadingShow less
She has become a respected voice for Indian spirituality on global platforms
Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, the International Director of Parmarth Niketan and President of the Divine Shakti Foundation, has marked 25 years since taking Sanyas Diksha—formal monastic initiation—on the banks of the Ganga in Rishikesh.
Silver jubilee event at Parmarth Niketan
The silver jubilee celebration took place on the Shri Rama Katha stage at Parmarth Niketan and was attended by prominent Indian saints and spiritual leaders. Among them were:
Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, her Guru and initiator into Sanyas
Pujya Swami Ramdevji
Mahamandaleshwar Swami Rajendra Dasji
Mahamandaleshwar Swami Ravindra Puriji
Mahamandaleshwar Swami Harichetnanandji
Pujya Sant Shri Murlidharji
Pujya Acharya Balkrishanji
Dr Chinmaya Pandya ji
Shri Ajay Bhai ji
Their presence underscored the national and spiritual importance of the occasion.
An American journey into Indian spirituality
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Sadhviji holds a PhD in psychology from Stanford University. She embraced Sanatana Dharma and the path of renunciation over two decades ago, and has since remained in India, dedicating her life to spiritual service and humanitarian work.
The camp provided care to hundreds of pilgrims, sadhus and residents of the Himalayan regionParmarth Niketan
Over the years, she has become a respected voice for Indian spirituality on global platforms, speaking at the United Nations and international forums across six continents.
Global roles and spiritual outreach
Sadhviji holds several leadership positions in both spiritual and interfaith organisations:
International Director, Parmarth Niketan
Secretary-General, Global Interfaith WASH Alliance
President, Divine Shakti Foundation
Co-Chair, Multifaith Advisory Council to the UN
Co-President, Religions for Peace
Board Member, World Council of Religious Leaders
Steering Committee Member, PaRD (Partnership for Religion and Sustainable Development)
Director, International Yoga Festival, Parmarth Niketan
Her teachings, rooted in the Vedic tradition, are shared widely through books, satsangs, global lectures, and digital platforms. Her titles include Hollywood to the Himalayas and Come Home to Yourself.
Service through health and healing
To mark the occasion in the spirit of seva, a free multi-specialty medical camp was held in collaboration with Medanta Hospital. The camp provided care to hundreds of pilgrims, sadhus and residents of the Himalayan region.
Tributes from spiritual leaders
Several spiritual leaders offered their blessings and reflections on Sadhviji’s journey.
Pujya Swami Ramdevji said, “My spiritual sister Sadhvi Bhagawati is an embodiment of the divine Mother. She is a true testament to absolute devotion and dedication.”
Pujya Swami Rajendra Dasji remarked on the auspicious timing of the eventParmarth Niketan
Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji praised her efforts on the Encyclopedia of Hinduism, which he noted will soon be available digitally. “She has become a lighthouse of this wisdom for so many seekers,” he added.
Pujya Swami Rajendra Dasji remarked on the auspicious timing of the event, coinciding with Jyeshtha Purnima, Kabir Jayanti and Saryu Jayanti. “Her every breath and every moment is in the seva of the nation,” he said.
Sadhviji, speaking at the event, said, “I truly don’t feel that I live in Bharat but that Bharat lives in me. It is not how much we have in life, but how much we are able to share, that makes us truly wealthy. It is not the external sadhan but the sadhana that truly matters.”
Sadhviji’s journey from America to India represents more than a personal transformationParmarth Niketan
Pujya Sant Murlidharji described the day as Sadhviji’s “spiritual birthday”, while Acharya Balkrishnaji offered wishes for her continued health and seva.
Dr Chinmaya Pandya, representing the All World Gayatri Parivar (AWGP), quoted Kabir Das and emphasised the significance of gurus in spiritual life. “Today we honour the light of her Guru in her life,” he said.
A bridge between East and West
Sadhviji’s journey from America to India represents more than a personal transformation. Her life stands as a bridge between East and West, science and spirituality, renunciation and service.
The event was livestreamed on the official YouTube channels of Parmarth Niketan and Sadhviji from 11:30 AM IST. Watch here.
Keep ReadingShow less
H H Madhavpriyadasji Swami's visit forms part of an ongoing engagement with diaspora communities
His Holiness Shree Madhavpriyadasji Swami, spiritual head of the Gurukul Parivar – Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul Vishwavidya Pratishthanam (SGVP) – is currently on a spiritual tour of the United Kingdom. Recognised for his leadership in promoting values-based education and spiritual growth, Swamiji continues to inspire followers across the world.
During a visit to the Shri Kutch Satsang Swaminarayan Temple in Harrow, Swamiji was presented with a copy of Garavi Gujarat, a leading publication within the global Gujarati community. He acknowledged the publication’s longstanding efforts in preserving the cultural identity and heritage of Gujaratis living abroad.
Cultural evolution of the community with integrity and pride.AMG
Expressing his appreciation, Swamiji noted that Garavi Gujarat occupies a special place in the hearts of Gujaratis worldwide. He praised its commitment to reflecting the values, milestones, and cultural evolution of the community with integrity and pride.
Swamiji emphasised the importance of such platforms in maintaining connections to heritage, particularly for younger generations growing up outside India. “The paper plays a vital role in keeping our traditions and identity alive, especially for the younger generation growing up abroad,” he said.
His visit forms part of an ongoing engagement with diaspora communities, promoting unity, spirituality, and cultural continuity.
Keep ReadingShow less
Deepika Padukone is redefining what power looks like in Bollywood
It didn’t take a walkout on a picket line or a fiery press conference to shake the Indian film industry; it took Deepika Padukone quietly demanding, “Eight hours.” No dramatic monologue or sensational tweets. Just a simple request: humane hours, overtime pay, and a refusal to push her body and mind past the brink. And just like that, the conversation in Bollywood cracked wide open.
In an industry that glorifies overnight shoots, delayed pack-ups, and “dedication” measured in sweat, Padukone’s decision to exit a high-profile film, Spirit, over her demand for an eight-hour workday was certainly a career move for her. But beyond that, it was a cultural revolt.
Deepika’s decision is pushing conversations beyond the glamGetty Images
When “enough” becomes revolutionary
What made this moment resonate wasn't just who said it, but when. After giving birth to daughter Dua in September 2024, Padukone’s priorities naturally shifted. She didn’t demand luxury. She asked for balance. And Bollywood, unaccustomed to being told “no,” didn’t take it well.
Her terms were straightforward: eight-hour shifts, payment for overtime, profit-sharing, and a refusal to perform intimate scenes or speak in Telugu; reasonable boundaries that suddenly became controversial when voiced by one of the industry’s most bankable stars.
When director Sandeep Reddy Vanga, known for pushing his cast in emotionally aggressive scenes, reportedly rejected these conditions, Padukone walked away from the project. She was swiftly replaced by Triptii Dimri. Vanga later alluded to “script leaks” and an unnamed actor who had “put down” a younger co-star, setting the entire social media ablaze with speculation.
— (@)
But Deepika wasn’t dragging anyone down; she was raising the floor.
Behind the glamour, Deepika Padukone is leading a quiet revolution in work cultureGetty Images
Not a diva, just done
What’s shocking is how quickly people defaulted to calling her “difficult.” And yet, actors like Shah Rukh Khan are known for avoiding night shoots and Akshay Kumar famously doesn’t work Sundays. No one raises eyebrows when they draw boundaries because it’s framed as “professionalism.” But when a new mother does it? Suddenly, it's "unreasonable."
Director Siddharth P. Malhotra, who worked with Rani Mukerji during Hichki, exposed this double standard: “Rani asked for eight-hour shifts to be with her daughter. Kajol only did one shift a day for We Are Family. It’s only a problem when women say it aloud.”
The industry responds. Some with applause, some with alarm
The dominoes have finally started falling. Mani Ratnam called it a necessary reset. Pankaj Tripathi described his own past of 16-18 hour days as “soul-draining,” while Barun Sobti, an actor-turned-producer, said he’d enforce 8-hour shifts if given the reins. Kajol, ever candid, deadpanned, “I love that you can work less,” while Ajay Devgn added that “honest filmmakers” would never object.
From star to changemaker, Deepika Padukone is rewriting the rules of the setGetty Images
But not everyone cheered
Director Tarun Mansukhani worried about logistical chaos. Some commented: “What happens when mid-budget films start losing their heroes to time clocks?” Others whispered about setting a dangerous precedent.
More than just a star’s schedule
This isn’t just about an actor clocking out early. It’s about rethinking the ecosystem.
Tripathi’s remark: “The actor leaves; the labourers stay”, in fact revealed the hierarchy. Spot boys, technicians, junior artists, they don’t get to negotiate. They wait, often unpaid for overtime, as the “show must go on.” The real question Deepika raises is: if she can’t get fair hours, who can?
And then there’s pay. A producer once told her they couldn't afford to pay her more because it would require cutting the male lead's salary and her response was a simple: 'Goodbye'.
The message? Equal pay isn’t a negotiation; it’s a principle.
When one woman said no to burnout, Bollywood was forced to listenGetty Images
Bollywood vs the world
Hollywood actors operate under union protections like SAG-AFTRA mandates, rest breaks, overtime pay, and hard stop hours. Violate it, and the studio pays. In contrast, Bollywood thrives on chaos masked as passion. People wear sleeplessness as a badge of honour. But glamour doesn’t justify grind.
While some southern Indian industries like Tollywood and Mollywood run leaner and faster, the Bollywood machine is notoriously disorganised, more time wasted in disarray than in shooting.
As one Mumbai-based casting director put it, “We imitate Hollywood’s sparkle but not their structure.”
Challenging the grind: how Deepika is shifting industry norms one demand at a timeGetty Images
Will the industry bend or break?
Deepika's stand has pushed the debate beyond vanity. This is about structure, safety, and sustainability. If the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) and the Indian Film & Television Producers Council (IFTPC) don’t use this flashpoint to draw up new frameworks, the fallout will continue to be individual actors “opting out” rather than an industry choosing to change.
There’s already noise on social media from mid-tier actors who’ve faced burnout. They described enduring 14-hour shoot days with minimal breaks and have urged producers to build reasonable rest periods into their schedules. The pot’s boiling.
Deepika Padukone’s stand is making work-life balance a power move in Indian cinemaGetty Images
The curtain call
What started with one woman asking to wrap up on time has opened a conversation that Bollywood has avoided for far too long. Deepika Padukone’s quiet battle has exposed the uncomfortable truth: that this industry, which prides itself on discipline and “family vibes,” often forgets that families need time, sleep, and respect.
She didn’t just ask for eight hours. She asked for dignity and, most importantly, balance. And in doing so, she’s invited every actor, technician, spot boy, and choreographer to do the same.
This isn’t a diva’s whim; it’s like labour is stepping into the spotlight, demanding its long-overdue close-up. Bollywood’s glamour will always shine. But maybe, finally, it won’t have to come at the cost of people collapsing under its weight.