Haryana Chief Minister, Nayab Singh Saini on Sunday said that the greatest strength of any nation is its youth. If the younger generation remains healthy, disciplined and free from drugs, the dream of building a Viksit Bharat will undoubtedly be realised.
Addressing a large gathering after flagging off the 'Nasha Se Jung – Yamunanagar Ke Sang' anti-drug run in Yamunanagar, the Chief Minister 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 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.
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini 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. He said every young person today stands at the crossroads of two paths, one leading towards life, sports, health and progress, and the other towards addiction, darkness and destruction.
One path builds the future, while the other destroys it. I am confident that the youth of Haryana, particularly the youth of Yamunanagar, will choose the path of development, fitness and a bright future, he said.The Chief Minister said that 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 ten-kilometre race, saying it was a mass awareness movement against the social evil of drug abuse whose message would resonate across Haryana. Highlighting the importance of fitness, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said, Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi had launched the Fit India Movement to encourage a healthy lifestyle.
Owing to the Prime Minister's sustained efforts, yoga has gained global recognition, and International Yoga Day is now celebrated worldwide every year on June 21, he added. The Chief Minister said today's 'Nasha Se Jung – Yamunanagar Ke Sang' run is also a major outreach programme being organised under Haryana Uday.
He appealed to parents to actively participate in such initiatives with their children and spend quality time interacting with them. In today's fast-paced life, parents must communicate regularly with their children because loneliness often pushes individuals towards social evils like drug addiction. Our children should move towards development, health and fitness, not towards drugs, he said.
The Chief Minister said the youth of the country are serving the nation as brave soldiers safeguarding its borders, while Haryana's sportspersons continue to make the State and the country proud by winning the highest number of medals in the Olympics, Paralympics and national as well as international sporting events.
Appealing to elected representatives, administrative officers, religious and social organisations, NGOs and the youth, he called upon every section of society to work together to eliminate the menace of drugs by adopting a healthy lifestyle and promoting greater public awareness.
*Chief Minister honours winners of 10-km race*
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 Sonipat 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 informed that around 1.25 lakh people from Yamunanagar and neighbouring states had registered for the event. Approximately 70,000 participants took part in the run, making it a record turnout.
Agriculture Minister, Sh. Shyam Singh Rana, MLA, Sh. Ghanshyam Dass Arora, Special Officer (Community Policing and Outreach) in the Chief Minister's Office, Sh. Pankaj Nain, former Cabinet Minister Kanwar Pal Gurjar, Deputy Commissioner Preeti, Superintendent of Police, Sh. Kamaldeep Goyal, and several other dignitaries were present on the occasion.