Not through fear. Not through anger. But one young life at a time.

Twenty-five years ago, I witnessed a moment that changed the way I saw the world. Today, I find myself thinking about what could change the world again—not with a single explosion, but slowly, quietly and one young life at a time.

I still remember that morning on September the 11th, 2001 as if it happened yesterday.

It was around 7:30 AM. I had just turned from 81st Street onto Indiana Avenue in Lubbock, Texas, on my way to work. As was my daily routine, I switched on the radio.

The DJ was talking about a plane crashing into the World Trade Center in New York city.

At first, I did not understand the gravity of what had happened.

But when I arrived at work—Covenant Lakeside, formerly St. Mary of the Plains Hospital—I saw my colleagues gathered around a small television screen.

I joined them.

And then we watched, live, as the second plane crashed into the second tower.

In that moment, we knew this was not an accident.

The world changed that day.

In the days that followed, we learned how a relatively small group of young men had been influenced by destructive ideas and religious fanaticism—with consequences that affected the entire world.

Twenty-five years later, I find myself asking a different question:

Who and what are influencing our young people today?

Today, our youngsters are growing up in a world competing relentlessly for their attention.

Screens, Social-media, Addictive content, Drugs, Peer pressure.

And influences that many parents and caring adults may not even see.

I don't believe we can simply lecture our way out of this problem.

Telling a young person, “Put down your phone!” or “Don't do drugs!” may be necessary—but it is rarely enough.

Young people don't need another adult simply telling them what not to do.

They need adults who are willing to enter their world.

Adults who will listen.

Adults who will spend time with them.

Adults who will encourage them.

Adults who will help them discover that life has far more to offer than a screen or a substance.

And one of the most powerful ways we can do this is surprisingly simple:

Get them moving. Take them walking. Run with them. Play a sport with them.

Teach them to exercise. Organize games. Go cycling.

Help them sweat, laugh, compete, fail, improve and discover what their bodies and minds can do.

Physical activity does more than build stronger bodies.

It can build confidence. Discipline. Friendships. Better sleep. A healthier mind.

And, perhaps most importantly, a sense of belonging.

Taking care of our youngsters means taking care of our country's future.

Our Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, has called for collective action against the menace of drug abuse. But no government, organization or institution can do this alone.

This is a battle that needs ordinary people.

People like you.

People like me.

Imagine what could happen if every one of us reached out to just one young person.

Not to lecture them. Not to control them. But simply to walk alongside them.

To listen. To encourage. To involve them. To help them become stronger—in body, mind and character.

One adult. One young person.

That may sound small.

But movements always begin somewhere.

Twenty-five years ago, I watched the world change in a matter of minutes.

Today, perhaps we can change it in a different way.

Not through fear. Not through anger. But one young life at a time.

Will you reach one young person today?

Because if each of us do, we may not just be changing their future.

We may be changing the future of our country.