Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday urged youngsters to idolise sportspersons such as Milkha Singh instead of singers who promote drugs through their songs.
The senior AAP leader was addressing a gathering during the 'Walk for Drug Free Chandigarh' -- an anti-drugs campaign launched by Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria. Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini were also present.
Mann spoke about his government's Yudh Nashyan Virudh campaign against drugs and said strict action was being taken against smugglers and peddlers. "The campaign has had a great impact," he said.
"Don't make singers who sing songs that promote drugs as your role models. Make sportspersons such as Milkha Singh, Indian women's cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur, hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh your role models," he added.
He also advised youngsters to draw inspiration from legends like Milkha Singh, Olympians Harmanpreet & Manpreet Singh (hockey) and cricketer Harmanpreet Kaur instead of singers promoting drugs through songs. He specifically pointed out that the Punjab Government has intensified its anti-drug campaign with strict enforcement, community engagement and youth awareness programs to dismantle the drug Supply chain and rehabilitate victims.
Mann said that the state government will not sit idly and watch the smugglers bloom at the cost of the dead bodies and pyres of the drug victims. He said that the state government has already snapped the supply line of drugs and big fishes involved in this heinous crime have been put behind the bars. He said that for the first time the property of the drug smugglers acquired illegally are being destroyed/ confiscated by the state government so that it acts as a deterrent for others.
He later congratulated Kataria for his initiative while speaking with reporters and stressed that the campaign should be turned into a people's movement.
CM Saini takes part in march against drug addiction
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said youth will play an important role in the eradication of drug menace and said drug addiction should be eradicated from every household. He said there should not be any stain of drug addiction on the beautiful city of Chandigarh. The youth should stay away from drugs and contribute in maintaining the beauty of this city. Saini said in Haryana, the government has started a public awareness campaign against drugs, which is getting a lot of support from the people. Strictest action is being taken against drug dealers and a strict watch is also being kept on them. He called upon the people to contribute in making the campaign against drugs stronger. He said the campaign against drugs is not just a programme, but a collective resolve to free our society from the evils of drugs, to give a bright future to our young generation and to make our country healthy and developed.