'Youth Run Punjab 2026' marathon was organized in Amritsar on Sunday as part of the 'Yudh Nashean Viruddh' campaign being run with the aim of making Punjab drug-free and connecting the youth with sports. Thousands of youth, sportspersons, children, women and elderly participated with enthusiasm in this race which started from Ranjit Avenue at 6 in the morning. Through the event, the message of fitness, healthy lifestyle and staying away from drugs was given.
The party leadership of Amritsar was present in this program organized by the Youth Wing of Aam Aadmi Party. The leaders encouraged the youth and stressed the importance of sports and community participation in the fight against drugs.
Shari Kalsi gave the green signal
AAP Punjab working president and MLA Amansher Singh Shari Kalsi flagged off the marathon. He said that the large participation of youth in 'Youth Run Punjab 2026' is a positive message for Punjab. According to him, the youth of the state are misrepresented, whereas their participation in such events shows their commitment towards sports, fitness and a drug-free society.
Kalsi said that thousands of youth have united with the message of promoting a healthy lifestyle and staying away from drugs. He also mentioned the vision of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and Arvind Kejriwal to build a prosperous and developed Punjab.
Mentioned about public welfare schemes
Amansher Singh Shari Kalsi said that the government is working for the welfare of different sections of the society. Referring to initiatives like pilgrimage and mohalla clinics for the elderly, he said that it is also important to help the needy and give the lost people an opportunity to return to a better life.
He said that to make Punjab drug free, it is important to channelize the energy of youth into positive activities. By joining sports, youth can develop discipline, self-confidence and healthy habits.
Great response received in four cities
AAP's chief spokesperson and MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said that 'Youth Run Punjab' has also received good response in Mohali, Bathinda and Jalandhar. The event organized in Amritsar was the fourth event of this series. He told that youth, players and wrestlers of Majha region came in large numbers since morning to participate in the program.
According to Dhaliwal, people's participation reflects Punjab's sportsmanship and collective efforts against drug addiction. He said that such events provide a platform to the youth, where they can understand the importance of fitness and healthy lifestyle and also make the society aware.
Harbhajan Singh ETO praised the youth
Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO said that the youth of Punjab are choosing sports and fitness. The large participation of children and youth in the Youth Run organized in Amritsar gives the message that youth are coming forward to adopt a healthy lifestyle and stay away from drugs.
He said that to make Punjab happy, progressive and drug free, cooperation of every section of the society is necessary. By encouraging sports, youth can be given opportunities to move forward in a positive direction.
Claim of participation of more than one lakh people
According to the organizers, so far more than one lakh people have participated in the marathon organized in Mohali, Bathinda, Jalandhar and Amritsar under 'Youth Run Punjab 2026'. Apart from youth, women, children, players and elderly have also participated in these events.
The aim of this series is to unite people against drug addiction and increase interest in sports. Organizers said that by adopting fitness and healthy lifestyle, awareness can be increased in the society for a drug-free future.
Collective efforts towards drug free Punjab
'Youth Run Punjab 2026' gave message against drug abuse through sports and fitness in Amritsar. However, to deal with this problem permanently, it is necessary to provide awareness along with de-addiction services, counselling, rehabilitation and support to the affected families.
The aim of the campaign is to motivate the youth to stay away from drugs by connecting them with positive activities. Organizers hope that such initiatives will accelerate efforts to make Punjab healthy, happy and drug-free.
Role of Modi government and BJP also in discussion on drug issue
The drug problem in Punjab is not an issue limited only to the policies of the state government. Its prevention includes many aspects like coordination between the central and state governments, action against cross-border drug trafficking, policing and rehabilitation of people affected by drug addiction.
The Central Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have also been giving importance to anti-drug awareness and policies to stop drug trafficking across the country. In such a situation, while evaluating any campaign against drugs in Punjab, it is important to look at the initiatives of the state government as well as the policies of the Center and the coordination between the two.
However, details of any specific statement against BJP or Prime Minister Modi during the 'Youth Run Punjab 2026' organized in Amritsar are not available. Therefore, it would not be appropriate to call this program a political demonstration directly against BJP or the Central Government.
Will the marathon help curb the drug problem?
The main objective of the marathon organized under the 'Yudh Nashean Viruddh' campaign is to make people aware of the ill effects of drugs and to connect the youth with sports. Such programs can increase social participation, but tackling the drug problem requires sustained and comprehensive efforts.
For this, effective action on drug trafficking, treatment and rehabilitation for people suffering from drug addiction, employment opportunities for youth and expansion of sports facilities are important.
Overall, 'Youth Run Punjab 2026' in Amritsar gave a message of collective awareness against drug addiction. Now the success of this initiative will also be measured by whether this effort to connect the youth with sports continues for a long time and the people affected by the drug problem get real help.
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