Punjab Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond attended a marathon as the chief guest, organized by the Municipal Council of Mandi Gobindgarh in collaboration with the district administration. The event, held on Thursday morning, started from the local Indoor Stadium and saw enthusiastic participation from people of all age groups.
While addressing the audience, Minister Tarunpreet highlighted the importance of collective action in the fight against drug abuse, stressing that the involvement of youth is key to the success of such efforts. He commended the energetic participation of youngsters in the state’s anti-drug campaign, Yudh Nashiyan Virudh, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.
He shared that numerous large-scale initiatives are underway across Punjab to tackle the drug menace. As part of Yudh Nashiyan Virudh, a special sub-committee—of which he is a member—has been formed to monitor daily progress. Since the campaign began on March 1, 2025, many drug traffickers have been arrested and illegal properties linked to the drug trade have been demolished.
Minister Tarunpreet also pointed out the strong influence celebrities have on the youth and thanked actors Karamjit Anmol, Dev Kharoud, and Binnu Dhillon for their presence at the event, saying it served as a source of inspiration for young people.
MLA Gurinder Singh Gary Barring urged the public to avoid drugs and support addicts by guiding them toward recovery. He encouraged people to report any suspicious activity or drug dealing to the authorities, reassuring them of full protection. He added that the overwhelming youth participation in the marathon sent a powerful message of solidarity with the government’s anti-drug efforts.
The event was significantly supported by Harpreet Singh Prince, President of the Municipal Council. International shooter Arjun Cheema also joined the marathon, interacted with participants, and motivated them to stay drug-free.
SSP Shubham Agarwal also addressed the crowd, and winners of the marathon were honored with medals and prizes.