Adopt healthy lifestyle, stay away from drugs: Haryana CM to youth

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said only healthy people could foster a healthy society, as healthy society is the first step towards the development and progress of the country and the state. He also appealed to the youngsters to adopt a healthy lifestyle and to stay away from drugs.

CM Saini flagged off the ‘Half Sonepat Marathon – Run against Drugs’ in the Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology (DCRUST) on Sunday. Addressing the crowd gathered at the moment, CM Saini said the main aim to organise such an event was to create awareness in the state against drug abuse so that Haryana could be made drug-free.

The Chief Minister called upon the entire society to unite against drug abuse. “This run inspires us to walk together, creates awareness towards sports and mobilises the entire society against drug abuse. Such events not only create social awareness, but also instil enthusiasm and excitement in all of us,” the CM said.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister also wished people on Navratri. “It is important for a healthy society that it should be free from evils like drug addiction. For this, we have expanded sports facilities in the state. A campaign has also been launched to keep the youth and all citizens away from the evil of drug addiction. The marathon is a part of this campaign.

The Chief Minister further said marathons and raahgiri events were being organised across the state. Through these events, the public is constantly being made aware of maintaining fitness. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘Fit India’ programme in August 2019 so that the public can take care of their health. The Prime Minister has made fitness an integral part of the lifestyle of the common man. Along with this, India has also given the basic mantra of yoga to the whole world.

Seeing the crowd gathered in today’s marathon, the Chief Minister said people had become committed to fitness. “The state government is continuously tackling drug addiction. With the support of saints, voluntary organisations and civil organisations, it is working against drug addiction. Sports are being promoted to keep the youth away from drugs.Teams have been formed from village and ward level to state level for de-addiction and rehabilitation,” he said, adding that Dhaakas programme had been started at the level of colleges, universities and educational institutions.

The Chief Minister further said this marathon was being organised under the Haryana Uday programme of the state government. So far, 2482 programmes had been organised under the programme in which 16.50 lakh people have participated. It included raahgiri, cyclothon, and sports competitions in areas affected by crime and drug addiction, de-addiction campaign, adoption of senior citizens, police school etc, he added.

The Chief Minister congratulated the runners and the participants who participated in the 21-kilometre, 10 kilometre and 5 kilometre runs and administered an oath to the youngsters on staying off drugs. Students gave different cultural programmes, singers presented songs against drug addiction, while students of Sports School, Rai, presented gymnastics during the half marathon. Cabinet Minister Dr Arvind Sharma, BJP state chief Mohan Lal Badoli, MLAs Nikhil Madaan, Pawan Kharkhoda, Devender Kadyan, Mayor Rajiv Jain, District and Sessions Judge Parmod Goyal, OSD Pankaj Nain, DC Dr Manoj Kumar Yadav and others were present on the occasion.