Early Times Report
Chandigarh, Mar 2: Further strengthen the Punjab Government’s “War Against Drugs” campaign, a special meeting was convened today by Shri Jai Krishan Singh Rouri, Deputy Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, regarding the organization of the ‘Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh National Marathon.’
The Deputy Speaker stated that under the leadership of the Chief Minister, Punjab, S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, a large-scale state-level campaign is being carried out to protect the youth of Punjab from drugs and to restore the vibrancy of “Rangla Punjab.” In this connection, the ‘Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh National Marathon’ will be organized as a state-level event on 22 March 2026 at Mahilpur (Garhshankar), District Hoshiarpur—known as the soccer town of India
He further informed that on 23 March 2026, state-level function marking the martyrdom day of Shaheed-e-Azam S.Bhagat Singh will be held at Khatkar Kalan. Therefore, the marathon will be organized on 22 March as a tribute to Shaheed-e-Azam.
The Deputy Speaker said that Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh envisioned a healthy and aware nation. Eliminating drugs and connecting youth with sports is our duty. This marathon will instill a spirit of patriotism among the youth and inspire them to stay away from drugs.
The marathon will feature different categories including 5 km, 10 km, 21 km, and 42 km races, in which children, youth, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities can participate. Winners will be honored with special prizes. Broad participation from schools, colleges, and universities will be ensured, and prominent personalities from India and abroad will also be invited.
He added that to ensure the success of this state-level program, cooperation will be sought from the Departments of Sports and Youth Services, Tourism, Health and Family Welfare, School Education, Higher Education..
Among those present at the meeting were Shri Parminder Singh Goldy (Chairman, Punjab Youth Development Board), Dr. S.P. Anand Kumar (IAS), S. Harpreet Singh Sudan (Director Sports), Shri Damprit Walia (IAS), Smt. Aashika Jain (Deputy Commissioner, Hoshiarpur), Ms. Charu Mehta, Shri Sukhpreet Singh Sidhu, Shri Tejdeep Singh Saini, Shri Major Singh (SP Hoshiarpur), Shri Gautam Kapoor (Public Relations Officer), Shri Rajesh Bakshi, Shri Kulwant Singh Sangha, Shri Arvinder Singh, Dr. Parminder Singh, Dr. Sajjan Sharma, Shri Lakshay Bharti, Shri Ram Lok Khatana, and Shri Mohit Attri, Public Relations Officer to the Deputy Speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha, along with other officials. |
