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Punjab CM Mann, 35,000 school children offer prayers at Golden Temple for a drug-free state

Bhagwant Mann said that this is a first-of-its-kind mass movement against drugs, which will break the backbone of this menace.

ByAayush Goel

Published Oct 18, 2023 | 10:27 PM ⚊UpdatedOct 18, 2023 | 10:27 PM

Punjab offers its prayers for a drug-free state. (Supplied)

The Punjab government has taken up a new initiative against drug addiction. Named the “Hope Initiative”, the campaign aims at keeping the youth of Punjab away from drugs.

Taking the first step towards this vision, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann reached Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar, where he participated in the “ardas” (prayer) ceremony for deaddiction, along with 35,000 school children.

Mann said that this is the first-of-its-kind mass movement against drugs, which will break the backbone of this menace.

Punjab prays for a drug-free state

Led by Mann, the students took a pledge to stay away from drugs and lead a healthy life. They also pledged to extend full support and cooperation to the government in its drive against drugs.

“For ages, Harmandir Sahib has been a source of inspiration for humanity for every noble cause. The sole motive of this ‘ardas’ is to take the blessings of the Almighty for the success of this unique mission, which aims to eliminate the curse of drugs from the state,” said Mann.

“The participation of a large number of youth in this campaign shows that the younger generation is ready to support the state government in this noble cause. This is the first time that a campaign against drugs has been started from the grassroots level. There is a major thrust on providing jobs to the youth to make them active partners in the socio-economic development of the state,” he added.

Besides the students, thousands of people joined the campaign and offered prayers online.

'नशा मुक्त पंजाब' बिना लोगों की सहभागिता के नहीं बन सकता…

इसी कड़ी में आज पवित्र नगरी श्री अमृतसर साहिब से 'नशा मुक्त पंजाब' मुहिम की शुरुआत की…लगभग 35 हज़ार बच्चों-युवाओं सहित माथा टेक पंजाब की बेहतरी की अरदास की.. साथ ही नौजवानों को खेलों से जोड़ने के लिए भी मुहिम की… pic.twitter.com/JtbWq9xVTe

— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) October 18, 2023

Also read: Punjab CM Mann vows to make state free of synthetic drugs

Punjab prays for a drug-free state

Under this initiative, a three-pronged strategy of pray, pledge, and play is being used. And as part of the same, the culture of sports is being promoted in the state to channelise the unbounded energy of the youth in a positive manner.

This campaign will act as a catalyst in transforming Punjab into a drug-free and healthy state.

Taking to X, Delhi Chief Minister and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal said that he was happy that the youth of Punjab came forward in such large numbers to make the state drug-free.

Punjab has reported 266 deaths due to overdose of narcotic and psychotropic substances during a period from 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2023. As many as 36 deaths were reported in 2020-2021, 71 in 2021-2022, and 159 in 2022-2023 up to 31 March.

The highest number of deaths reported are in Bathinda (38), followed by Tarn Taran (30), Ferozepur (19), and rural Amritsar (17), where 12 deaths were reported in the last year alone.