Prevention Is Social: A Conversation with Future Social Workers in Amritsar

What happens when future social workers begin to see prevention not as someone else’s responsibility, but as their own? A conversation in Amritsar brought together students, practitioners and young health advocates to explore addiction, tobacco, e-cigarettes, environmental protection and the changing role of social work. At its heart was a simple but powerful message: 

“Prevention Is Social” — and the journey from welfare to well-being begins with us.

By Saloni Pal
Master of Social Work Student, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar

On 25 July 2026, the Faculty of Social Work, Department of Sociology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, organised a group discussion with social work students on health, addiction prevention and the changing role of social workers.

Mr. Suneel Vatsyayan, Founder and Chairperson, Nada India Foundation, was the Chief Guest.                                                                                                                                  

President, Amritsar Hariyawal Manch; Mr. Gulshan Ranjan, Medical Social Worker, All India Pingalwara Charitable Society; and Mrs. Pallavi, Sociologist, were also present.

The discussion was an opportunity for us, as young social work students, to look at social issues from a practical perspective.

Mr. Vatsyayan shared his experiences of visiting schools, hospitals and dental institutions to create awareness about Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco and E-cigarettes (DATE). He spoke about the growing use of tobacco, e-cigarettes and other addictive substances among young people and their impact on health.

He also made us think about an issue we often overlook—the environment. 

Discarded cigarette butts contain harmful substances and add to environmental pollution. This made us realise that prevention of tobacco and nicotine use is not only about health; it is also about protecting our surroundings.

“Prevention Is Social”

One message that stayed with us was:

“Prevention Is Social.”

The problems we see around us are also connected to our families, communities, institutions and social environment. As social workers, we cannot only respond after a problem has happened. We also have a responsibility to prevent problems, create awareness and encourage people to take action.

The discussion also made us think about the changing role of social workers. Today, social workers are needed not only in NGOs and communities but also in hospitals, schools, CSR initiatives, public health programmes and many other areas.

Mr. Vatsyayan emphasised that academics should help us connect knowledge with practical solutions. For us as students, this was an important reminder that social work is not only about studying problems but also about working with people to find solutions.

Learning from Young People Who Are Already Making a Difference

Two Nada India volunteers, Divya Sharma, Nada Health Advocate, and Suneaina, Nada Peer Supporter, both alumni of Guru Nanak Dev University, specially joined the session from Pathankot.

Their presence was particularly meaningful for us because they had once been students at our university and are now working with young people and communities. They had earlier worked with Prof. Aditya Parihar, whose contribution to social work education and student engagement has also been an important part of their journey.

Seeing alumni return to their university as health advocates and peer supporters gave us a sense that the learning we receive here can actually take us into communities and create change.

From Welfare to Well-being

The discussion connected strongly with the idea of moving from welfare to well-being.

As future social workers, we need to take initiative, work together and become part of solutions. Whether it is preventing addiction, promoting healthy campuses, supporting families, protecting the environment or strengthening community participation, social work has an important role to play.

For us, the message from the session was simple:

The problems around us are social, and prevention must also be social.

As young people from Amritsar and future social workers, we can be part of that change.

— Saloni Pal
Master of Social Work, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar

The broader Young India Network for Good Health has also worked with youth groups, civil society organisations and the  Department of Sociology at Guru Nanak Dev University to strengthen youth engagement and healthy campus initiatives. Join Nada Young India Network for Good Health https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfu1qMMQI2e0rA2riq54R14lIbfilPpeNYQYj1eU2e3eGI8iA/viewform