Walkathon against drugs in Kapurthala

As part of the campaign being run against drug abuse in Kapurthala, hundreds of people today pledged to play a leading role in the fight against drug abuse through a 3 kilometre long walkathon. A large number of school students, NCC cadets and NSS volunteers also took an oath to spread awareness about the ill-effects of drug abuse, while participating in the walkathon.

Through various slogans, the students called for making the campaign against drug abuse a mass movement. They pledged not to consume drugs and expressed their commitment to play the role of an ambassador to save society from drug addiction. In the walkathon that started from the local Guru Nanak Stadium, hundreds of students passed through the main roads of the city raising anti-drug slogans, giving the message of a “Drug-Free Punjab”.

The walkathon was flagged off from Guru Nanak Stadium by Kapurthala Deputy Commissioner Amit Kumar Panchal, District Planning Board Chairperson Lalit Saklani, SSP Gaurav Toora, Director of Water Resources Department and constituency in-charge Harsimran Singh Ghuman from Bholath, Chairman of Improvement Trust, Kapurthala, Sajjan Singh Cheema and AAP spokesperson Harnoor Singh Harjiman. They led the entire programme. The walkathon started from Guru Nanak Stadium and passed through Sainik School, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Chowk, Satt Narayan Bazaar and ended back at the stadium.

Addressing the people present, DC Amit Kumar Panchal said the way people from every section had participated in the campaign and pledged to fight against drugs, was a proof that the campaign launched by the Punjab government had now become a mass movement. He appealed to people to be a part of this campaign so that this social evil can be eradicated from its roots by working together.

Earlier, the DC administered an oath to the participants in the walkathon to shun drugs and spread awareness against it. Students taking part in the walkathon gave a message against drug abuse in their own style. Hundreds of students formed a human chain of “Say No To Drugs”. Students of Government School, Khaira Dona, displayed giddha and gave the message against drug abuse.

Ishmeet Kaur and Komalpreet Kaur, students of School of Eminence, said they will inspire people around them to stay away from drugs and use their energy in sports or studies.