In continuation of Punjab’s ongoing campaign against drugs, Deputy Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Shri Jai Krishan Singh Rouri, convened a special meeting today to plan the Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh National Marathon, which will be a key event in the anti-drug initiative.
Shri Rouri emphasized that under the leadership of Chief Minister Sardar Bhagwant Singh Mann, a robust statewide movement is being carried out to protect Punjab’s youth from the drug menace, safeguard their future, and restore the state’s vibrant image as a land of joy and sporting spirit. Today’s meeting was held with this vision in mind, and he expressed confidence in strong public participation.
As part of this campaign, a state-level Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh National Marathon will be organized on September 27, 2025, at Mahilpur (Garhshankar) in Hoshiarpur district, famously known as Punjab’s football nursery. The meeting focused on comprehensive planning for this major event, and the Deputy Speaker highlighted the importance of cooperation from all concerned departments. He also mentioned the support of SRSF NGO in organizing the marathon.
Highlighting the historical significance, Shri Rouri noted that the Hon’ble Chief Minister had taken his oath at Khatkar Kalan, the birthplace of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, and a state-level event is held there every year on the martyr’s birth anniversary. This year too, the program will take place on September 28, 2025, with the marathon being scheduled a day earlier as a tribute.
He added that World Tourism Day also falls around the same time, and aligning the marathon with both Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s birth anniversary and Tourism Day would make the event even more impactful and meaningful.
Emphasizing Bhagat Singh’s vision of a strong and healthy nation, the Deputy Speaker said it is the collective responsibility to combat drugs and promote such events for building a better, drug-free society. The marathon aims to motivate the youth to stay away from drugs, participate in sports, and instill patriotic values.
The marathon will feature multiple race categories — 5 km, 10 km, 21 km, and 42 km — open to children, youth, elderly, and persons with disabilities. Winners will be felicitated with awards, and a special “Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh Sports Icon Award” will be presented. Educational institutions — schools, colleges, and universities — will also take part, and distinguished sportspersons from India and abroad will be invited.
For successful execution, cooperation will be sought from departments including Sports and Youth Services, Tourism, Health and Family Welfare, School Education, and Higher Education.
Key participants at the meeting included:
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Shri Jai Krishan Singh Rouri, Deputy Speaker
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Shri Parminder Singh Goldy, Chairman, Punjab Youth Development Board
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Shri Sarvjit Singh (IAS), Special Chief Secretary, Sports and Youth Services
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Shri Abhinav Trikha (IAS), Secretary, Tourism Department
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Dr. S.P. Anand Kumar (IAS), Special Secretary, Sports and Youth Services
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Smt. Deepti Uppal (IAS), Special Secretary, Local Government
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Smt. Ashika Jain, Deputy Commissioner, Hoshiarpur
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Shri Sandeep Kumar Malik (IPS), Hoshiarpur
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Dr. Ajitpal Singh, Joint Director, Sports and Youth Services
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Dr. Hitinder Kaur, Director, Health Services
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Dr. Sandeep, State Project Officer, Mental Health and De-addiction
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Shri Vimal Kumar Sethia, Director, Information and Public Relations, Punjab
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Shri Sundeep Singh Gada, Additional Director (Admin), Information and Public Relations
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Shri Arvinder Singh, Joint Principal Secretary to CM Punjab
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Principal Harbhajan Singh Sporting Club, Mahilpur
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Dr. Parminder Singh, Principal, SGGS Khalsa College, Mahilpur
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Dr. Basant Garg, Nodal Officer, Anti-Drug Campaign
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Representatives from SRSF NGO: Dr. Sajan Sharma, Shri Mohit Bansal, Shri Lakshya Bharti
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Shri Ram Lok Khatana, Secretary, Punjab Vidhan Sabha
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Shri Mohit Attri, Public Relations Officer to Deputy Speaker
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to make the marathon a powerful and unifying event in the state’s battle against drugs.