/Punjab’s constitutional head, Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, is set to embark on a six-day ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Padyatra’ (Drug-Free Punjab March) from April 3 to 8. The march, which will begin from Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district and conclude at the historic Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar, aims to mobilize public support and raise awareness about the devastating impact of drugs on society.
Calling for collective action, Governor Kataria has urged all Members of Parliament (MPs), Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), political leaders, social organizations, and the general public to join him in this movement. Stressing that “laws alone cannot solve the drug crisis”, he appealed to people from all walks of life to make this initiative a people’s movement rather than just a government effort.
During this walk, Kataria is expected to cover nearly 42-48 kilometers, covering key locations across two border districts to raise awareness about the menace of drugs.
Kataria has also extended invitations to the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, parliamentarians, legislators, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and Vice-Chancellors of all universities to participate, especially in the concluding event at Jallianwala Bagh on April 8.
The padyatra will commence on April 3 from Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor in Dera Baba Nanak and conclude on April 8 at Jallianwala Bagh. During this six-day journey, the Governor will cover seven to eight kilometers daily, interacting with villagers and urban communities in Gurdaspur and Amritsar. Public meetings and awareness programs will be held at multiple locations to engage citizens, youth, and social organizations in the fight against drugs.
Kataria, addressing media on Monday, cited alarming statistics on drug addiction in Punjab, highlighting the rising use of heroin among the youth and even women. Reflecting on his eight-month tenure as Governor, he acknowledged the severity of the problem and the need for urgent intervention.
He said he drew inspiration from writer Khushwant Singh’s padyatra against drugs, in which he had participated for two days, and expressed his determination to turn this campaign into a mass movement.
Kataria has also extended an invitation to Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan to be part of the initiative. He appealed to all political parties, social organizations, and the general public to join hands and make the padyatra a success. “Efforts have been made for years to tackle this issue, but now we need a united front. This is not about politics but about saving Punjab’s future,” he stated.
The Governor also underscored the role of educational institutions in this battle, stating that universities and colleges declaring themselves drug-free would be honoured. He further revealed his recent discussions with the Central Government regarding the revival of the Border Area Development Fund in Punjab, expressing optimism that the scheme would soon be reinstated to benefit border regions.
Elaborating on the padyatra’s detailed itinerary, the Governor said that the march would pass through key locations in Gurdaspur and Amritsar, with daily starting and ending points at significant institutions, including schools and colleges. On April 3, the yatra will begin at St Francis Convent School in Dera Baba Nanak, while the April 8 concluding march will start from Deen Dayal Parking at Bhandari Bridge and end at Jallianwala Bagh.
Calling for a people-driven movement, Kataria urged the media to play an active role in spreading awareness. “This issue is not limited to Punjab; it is a national crisis. We must all join hands to save our society and future generations. One day, we will succeed,” he asserted.
