Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Sunday said the greatest strength of any nation was its youth. “If the younger generation remains healthy, disciplined and free from drugs, the dream of building a Viksit Bharat will undoubtedly be realised,” said the Chief Minister while addressing a large gathering after flagging off the ‘Nasha Se Jung-Yamunanagar Ke Sang’ anti-drug run in Yamunanagar on Sunday.
He also administered a pledge to participants to stay away from drugs and urged them to become ambassadors of a drug-free society.
Expressing satisfaction over the enthusiastic participation of the youth, children, women, senior citizens and people from all walks of life, the Chief Minister said the overwhelming public response reflected society’s collective resolve to eradicate the menace of drug abuse.
He said the event was not merely a race but a celebration of the determination of Haryana’s youth and a reflection of the government’s commitment and the state’s values.
The Chief Minister said the youth of Yamunanagar had resolved to run not towards addiction but towards creating a drug-free society and fulfilling their dreams.
He described the event as much more than a five or 10-km race, saying it was a mass awareness movement against the social evil of drug abuse, whose message would resonate across Haryana.
He said the ‘Nasha Se Jung-Yamunanagar Ke Sang’ run was also a major outreach programme being organised under Haryana Uday.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister felicitated the winners of the 10-km race. In the men’s category, Mohit from Mahendragarh secured the first prize of Rs 1 lakh, Satyam won the second prize of Rs 75,000, while Sachin Yadav from Uttar Pradesh received the third prize of Rs 51,000.
In the women’s category, Bharti from Sonepat won the first prize of Rs 1 lakh, Sonika from Bhiwani secured the second prize of Rs 75,000, while Shashi Lata from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, received the third prize of Rs 51,000. A special award was also presented to 73-year-old Triloki Nath of Panipat for completing the 10-km race.
Deputy Commissioner Preeti said about 1.25 lakh people from Yamunanagar and neighbouring states had registered for the event. Around 70,000 participants took part in the run, making it a record turnout.
Agriculture Minister Shyam Singh Rana, MLA Ghanshyam Dass Arora, Special Officer (Community Policing and Outreach) in the Chief Minister’s Office Pankaj Nain, former Cabinet Minister Kanwar Pal Gujjar, BJP District President Rajesh Sapra, DC Preeti, SP Kamaldeep Goyal, DIPRO Dr Manoj Kumar and several other dignitaries were present on the occasion.