AI Generated Summary
- Hundreds of residents took to the streets of Bathinda on Sunday for the five-km ‘Punjab Youth Run’, an initiative aimed at encouraging youngsters to embrace sports and healthy living while staying away from drugs.
- Referring to Punjab’s association with the term ‘Udta Punjab’ in the context of drug abuse, Ghuman said the state should instead be recognised as “Khed da Punjab, Rangla Punjab, Bhajda-Daud da Punjab”, reflecting its sporting culture, vibrancy and active youth.
- The turnout at the run sought to shift the focus towards community participation, fitness and constructive engagement of the youth.
Hundreds of residents took to the streets of Bathinda on Sunday for the five-km ‘Punjab Youth Run’, an initiative aimed at encouraging youngsters to embrace sports and healthy living while staying away from drugs.
The event came amid renewed discussion over the drug problem in the district following the circulation of videos highlighting the issue. The turnout at the run sought to shift the focus towards community participation, fitness and constructive engagement of the youth.
Organised under the leadership of Bathinda Mayor Padamjeet Singh Mehta, the event also saw the participation of Punjab Cricket Association president Amarjeet Mehta.
Rajbir Singh Ghuman, OSD to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, attended the programme as the chief guest. Addressing the gathering, Ghuman said the state government was making efforts to steer young people away from substance abuse by creating greater opportunities for participation in sports.
Referring to Punjab’s association with the term ‘Udta Punjab’ in the context of drug abuse, Ghuman said the state should instead be recognised as “Khed da Punjab, Rangla Punjab, Bhajda-Daud da Punjab”, reflecting its sporting culture, vibrancy and active youth.
He said the strong participation in the run demonstrated that young people were willing to choose sports, education, health and progress over drugs.
Participants were provided T-shirts and refreshments, while medals were presented to those taking part in the run.
Ghuman said Bathinda was the third city to host such an initiative after similar events were organised in Jalandhar and Mohali.
