Narnaul (Haryana), Aug 9 (PTI) Marathon is not merely a race, but a resolve for a healthy life, said Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini as he flagged off the ‘Youth Marathon’ and ‘Tiranga Yatra’ at Nuni Sheikhpura Mor here on Sunday.
Saini himself participated in the 5-km run.
The youth of the state stepping out in the morning carrying the tricolour and running together is a sign that the state is not only going to win the race of development, but also the race of awareness, patriotism and a bright future, said Saini in his address.
“If someone asks me what the most beautiful picture of a developed India would look like, I would say the tricolour in hand, sports in life and the resolve for a drug-free India in the heart,” he said.
“This marathon is not merely a run of a few kilometres. It is a resolve for a healthy life and to move from the darkness of drug abuse towards the light. The message should go from the land of Narnaul to the entire state of Haryana that drugs destroy life, while sports enrich and shape life,” he said.
Saini said today’s event is also a witness to the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign.
Launched in 2022 during the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the campaign has now become a people’s movement across the country.
“This year, the campaign is dedicated to the glorious 150 years of Vande Mataram. Vande Mataram is not merely a song, but the voice of India’s soul, which awakened a new spirit of patriotism among millions of Indians during the freedom struggle,” said Saini.
“It is our responsibility to acquaint the new generation with the sacrifices because of which we attained freedom. We have resolved to take the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign to every village and every household in Haryana,” he said.
The chief minister expressed confidence that women, self-help groups, youth, farmers, sportspersons and students would play an important role in taking this campaign to every section of society.
Saini said through marathons, cyclothons, ‘Raahgiri’ and several public awareness programmes, lakhs of youth and citizens have been connected with this mass movement.
So far, 2,483 programmes have been organised, with more than 17 lakh people actively participating in them, he added.
On the drug menace, the chief minister said a total of 160 de-addiction centres have been established in the state.
Treatment facilities have also been made available at government medical colleges and civil hospitals. So far, 7,523 people have been identified and provided treatment so that they can return to a normal life with dignity, he said.
Continuous action is being taken against drug traffickers through the Special Task Force, Anti-Narcotics Cells and the Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau.
The battle against drug abuse cannot be won by the government alone,.
The participation of families, schools, panchayats, sports institutions and every responsible citizen is essential, he added. PTI CHS KVK KVK
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