Hoshiarpur: To raise awareness among the public regarding the adverse effects of drugs and to promote engagement in sports, the Punjab government is organizing a national marathon dedicated to the martyrdom of Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh Ji. This event is scheduled to be held on March 22 at Sri Guru Gobind Singh Khalsa College, Mahilpur. Today, Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Jai Krishan Singh Rouri, reviewed the preparations and arrangements for the event during a meeting held here with officials.
Deputy Speaker Jai Krishan Singh Rouri stated that, under the leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, extensive action is being taken to eradicate the scourge of drugs; concurrently, several meaningful initiatives are being undertaken to safeguard the public from substance abuse, and the upcoming national marathon in Mahilpur is an integral part of this ongoing series of efforts.
He emphasized that the complete elimination of drugs is a top priority for Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, and continuous efforts are underway to achieve this objective. He further noted that the youth can be shielded from this social evil by encouraging them to enter the realm of sports and actively participate in their preferred athletic disciplines. He also announced that the winners of the marathon would be specially felicitated to encourage and motivate them.
Speaking about the Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh National Marathon to be held in Mahilpur, the Deputy Speaker informed that the event features four distinct categories: 5 km, 10 km, 21 km, and 42 km. Participants will compete in these races, and a collective pledge to say ‘No to Drugs’ will also be administered during the event. He assured that comprehensive and robust arrangements covering every aspect of the event would be implemented to ensure that the entire proceedings are conducted smoothly and efficiently.
He also directed SSP Sandeep Kumar Malik to ensure smooth traffic management and to raise public awareness regarding alternative traffic routes during the event. He stated that emphasis is being placed on ensuring maximum participation of students in the marathon, with the aim of taking the message against drug abuse down to the grassroots level.
Regarding registration for the marathon, the Deputy Speaker informed that interested individuals and youth across various categories can register for the National Marathon via www.srsftge.com. He further noted that comprehensive information can also be accessed through this platform. Deputy Commissioner Ashika Jain directed the concerned officials to complete all necessary arrangements in a timely manner. Senior officials from various departments—in addition to the civil and police administration—were present on this occasion.