Ram kumar’s journey: from addiction to social change

20/11/25

Success Stories

152

“Change begins the moment you decide to fight your own battles — not with others, but within yourself.” – Ram Kumar

In the quiet lanes of Rampur village, Shravasti district, a young man named Ram Kumar is leading a quiet revolution — one of hope, recovery, and resilience. Once trapped in the vicious cycle of addiction, Ram Kumar’s transformation from a dependent youth to a community leader has become a beacon of inspiration for hundreds in his village.

Born into a modest family, Ram Kumar’s early life was marked by limited opportunities and social influences that offered little guidance. With uneducated parents and minimal awareness around health, he fell into the habit of consuming gutka, tobacco, and other addictive substances at a young age.
His health deteriorated, relationships strained, and his family suffered silently as addiction tightened its grip. “There was a time,” he recalls, “when I felt completely lost — physically weak and emotionally drained. My family had almost given up hope.”

Five months ago, Bal Raksha Bharat initiated the “Dream Accelerator Project” in Rampur village — a program aimed at building awareness on child rights, protection, and well-being. During community meetings and counseling sessions under this initiative, Ram Kumar was selected as a Child Champion.
As he attended workshops on the harmful effects of addiction and engaged in discussions on self-awareness and positive habits, something began to shift within him. Motivated by the facilitators’ guidance, he took a personal pledge to quit addiction — embracing meditation, mindfulness, and positive thinking as tools of change.

“It wasn’t easy,” he shares. “But I realized addiction wasn’t just harming me — it was breaking my family and hurting my community. I didn’t want to live that life anymore.”

Once free from addiction, Ram Kumar decided that his recovery should not end with him. Determined to protect others from the same trap, he launched an anti-addiction campaign across Rampur and nearby villages.

He began conducting awareness sessions in schools, organizing community meetings, and engaging youth groups to talk openly about the dangers of tobacco and substance use. He collaborated with local influencers, teachers, and shopkeepers, convincing many to stop selling gutka and tobacco to children.
His passion soon turned into a movement — and people began to listen.

Within months, Ram Kumar’s efforts began to bear fruit. Many young people in Rampur started giving up their addictions, inspired by his story. Families that had once been broken by substance abuse found a new sense of hope.

Teachers reported improved attendance and discipline among students, while community elders began supporting Ram’s initiatives with pride.

Today, Ram Kumar is recognized not only as a recovered addict, but as a leader of change — someone who has turned his pain into purpose.

An Inspiration for All

Ram Kumar’s story is a reminder that real change begins with courage and conviction. His journey shows how one individual’s decision to rise above challenges can ignite transformation across an entire community.

He now dreams of expanding his awareness work to nearby villages — ensuring that every child and youth in Shravasti has the chance to live free from addiction and full of possibilities.

As Ram Kumar says with quiet confidence; “If I can change, anyone can. All it takes is one decision — and the belief that life can be better.”

Gaurav Sharma

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