Chandigarh, September 27:- “Today, a strong voice against drugs has risen from the land of Faridabad in the Namo Marathon.” Chief Minister Shri Nayab Singh Saini said this on Sunday while flagging off the ‘Drug-Free Haryana Faridabad Namo Marathon-2026’ from the historic land of Surajkund. He said that the steps moving forward in the marathon were not merely running on the road, but were carrying forward the collective consciousness and resolve of the state against drugs.

More than 1.35 lakh people registered for the marathon organised in Faridabad, and almost all registered participants reached the venue to take part in the marathon. Such a massive participation turned Surajkund into a grand picture of the collective resolve for de-addiction. From the morning itself, the enthusiasm of youth, women, senior citizens, sportspersons, students and people from different sections of society at the venue was clearly visible.

The event was not limited to just a race, but emerged as a broad public message of de-addiction, fitness, healthy lifestyle, youth power, social unity and nation-building. A large number of youngsters participated in the marathon with full enthusiasm and conveyed the message of staying away from drugs and channelising their energy in a positive direction. The commendable participation of women and senior citizens also made it clear that the campaign against drugs is not the resolve of any one section, but a collective commitment of the entire society.

Distance Different, But the Destination One—

Participants took part in different categories of 21 kilometres, 10 kilometres and 5 kilometres in the Drug-Free Haryana Marathon. The distance was different for some, the pace was different for others and their ages were also different, but the destination of all was one—Drug-Free Haryana.

Chief Minister Shri Nayab Singh Saini showered flowers on the participants taking part in the marathon and encouraged them. He said that Haryana’s identity is sweat, medals and valour. The youth of Haryana is identified not with drugs, but with hard work, talent and dedication towards their goals. He appealed to the youth to firmly say ‘no’ to drugs.

The Chief Minister said that drugs not only weaken the body, but also snatch away dreams, affect families and hollow out society. He appealed to youngsters to channelise their energy and talent not into drugs, but into sports, education, skills, employment, innovation and nation-building.

Surajkund Echoes with Chants of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’

During the marathon, the Surajkund complex appeared filled with the spirit of patriotism and social resolve. The entire atmosphere echoed with chants of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’. Thousands and lakhs of steps moving forward together were conveying the message of a healthy society, drug-free youth and a strong nation.

The Chief Minister said that today’s run was not merely a race to move forward on the road, but a race to take social consciousness against drugs forward. He welcomed every runner, sportsperson, student, daughter and volunteer.

Chief Minister Administers Drug-Free Pledge

During the programme, Chief Minister Shri Nayab Singh Saini administered an oath to the large number of participants present to stay away from drugs and play their role in building a drug-free society. The participants resolved that they would themselves stay away from drugs and also inspire their family members, friends and other people in society to stay away from drugs. This collective pledge took the Namo Marathon beyond merely being a sporting event and gave it the form of a major campaign for social change and public awareness.

The Chief Minister said that the fight against drugs is not only the responsibility of the government or the police. It is a collective fight of every household, every school and every village. He appealed to parents and teachers to communicate openly with children.

Appeal to Channel Youth Energy into the Power of Nation-Building

The Chief Minister said that youth are the greatest strength of any nation. Therefore, it is necessary to protect youth power from the grip of drugs and channelise its energy towards nation-building. He appealed to youngsters to join sports, adopt a healthy lifestyle and work hard to achieve their goals.

He said that the youth of Haryana has always brought laurels to the state and the country on the sports field. If the state’s youth power stays away from drugs and channels its energy into positive activities, Haryana will achieve new heights of development.

Message of Fitness and Healthy Lifestyle Also Conveyed

The Faridabad Namo Marathon also conveyed an effective message of fitness and healthy lifestyle along with de-addiction. The participation of people from different age groups proved that age is not a barrier to a healthy life. The enthusiasm of youth, participation of women and active involvement of senior citizens became a special feature of the event. Through the marathon, people conveyed the message of adopting regular exercise, physical activity and a positive lifestyle.

Message of De-Addiction Linked with Seva Sankalp Campaign

Chief Minister Shri Nayab Singh Saini said that inspiration for resolve and service comes from Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. On the occasion of completion of 25 years of public service by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the ‘Seva Sankalp Campaign’ is being conducted from September 17 to October 17. In the same series, the message of the ‘Drug-Free Youth–Developed India Sankalp Abhiyan’ is being taken to the people.

The Faridabad Namo Marathon is a strong link in this same chain of service, resolve and social awareness. He said that through ‘Haryana Uday’, the message of de-addiction is being taken to every district and village of the state. If any family needs assistance related to drug addiction, it should not hesitate. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of courage.

Participation of Over 1.35 Lakh People Creates a New Chapter of Public Resolve

The registration of more than 1.35 lakh people for the Faridabad Namo Marathon and the arrival of almost all registered participants at the venue became evidence of the enthusiasm and widespread public participation in the event. The coming together of such a large number of people for one objective and moving forward together remained the most important feature of the event. Every participant in the marathon moved forward carrying three clear messages—distance from drugs, closeness to health and participation in nation-building. The event brought sports, fitness, social awareness and public participation together on one platform and worked to spread the message of de-addiction on a wider scale.

Faridabad Namo Marathon Emerges as a Commendable Event with Mass Participation at National Level

Chief Minister Shri Nayab Singh Saini said that the manner in which every section of society participated in the Faridabad Namo Marathon was special in itself. More than 1.35 lakh registrations, almost complete participation, a large presence of youth and enthusiastic participation of women and senior citizens established the event among commendable events with wide public participation. He said that this marathon is not merely a one-day event, but the message emerging from it will continue to inspire society in the coming period to stay away from drugs, adopt a healthy lifestyle and contribute to nation-building.

Resolve Moving from Drug-Free Haryana Towards Developed India

The Chief Minister said that the resolve for a drug-free Haryana is not limited merely to giving up drugs. Its broader objective is to make youth healthy, educated, capable, self-reliant and responsible citizens. When the youth of the state remains healthy and channels its energy into constructive activities, the goal of a developed India will be strengthened. He said that protecting youth power from drugs and connecting it with sports, education, skills, employment and nation-building is a primary responsibility of both the government and society.

The Chief Minister, while appealing for a collective resolve, said—“Neither will we consume drugs ourselves, nor will we allow anyone else to do so. We will channel youth power not into drugs, but into nation-building. A drug-free Haryana is our resolve, a healthy Haryana is our identity and a developed India is our goal.”

He said that the real success of this event would be if the voice of de-addiction that has risen from Faridabad reaches every district, every village and every household of Haryana.

“Not drugs, but now there will be the light of dreams—our Haryana will be a drug-free Haryana.”

Union Minister Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar, state Revenue Minister Shri Vipul Goyal, Minister of State for Food and Supplies Shri Rajesh Nagar, Sports Minister Shri Gaurav Gautam, Ballabgarh MLA Mool Chand Sharma, Badkhal MLA Dhanesh Adhlakha, NIT MLA Satish Fagna, Chief Minister’s Media Advisor Rajiv Jaitley, along with many dignitaries, public representatives, sportspersons, youth, women, senior citizens and a large number of citizens were present at the programme.

Prashant Chaudhary First, Vikram Singh First Runner-Up in 21.1-Km Men’s Category

Participants put up an impressive performance in different competitions of the ‘Drug-Free Haryana Faridabad Namo Marathon-2026’. In the 21.1-kilometre men’s category, Prashant Chaudhary emerged the winner, Vikram Singh secured the first runner-up position and Anuj Meena finished as the second runner-up. In the 21.1-kilometre women’s category, Sonika emerged the winner, while Manav Rana secured the first runner-up and Bhumika the second runner-up position. In the 10-kilometre men’s category, Rohit Kumar emerged the winner, Gaurav was the first runner-up and Nishant Karhana the second runner-up. Similarly, in the 10-kilometre women’s category, Neeru Rani secured the first position, Sonia Upadhyay the first runner-up and Reema Patel the second runner-up position.