The Odisha Pride, a voluntary organisation, organanised an awareness marathon at the Kalinga Stadium here on the occasion of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Sunday.
Over two thousand students and youths participated in the marathon that went from the stadium to the Red Cross Bhavan via Nicco Park and returned. Organisation president Manas Das said India would regain its historical glory once there is a complete prohibition of liqour and other intoxicants.
“The population of India constitutes a whopping 65 per cent of youths. The youth mass is the strength of our country. Such awareness programmes against consumption of intoxicants needs to be conducted to achieve a complete prohibition, said Das.
Among others, loksevak Mandal president Deepak Malavya, Sambad editor Soumyaranjan Patnaik, Bhubaeswar North MlA Priyadarshi Mishra, KIIT founder Achyuta Samanta, sand artist Sudrsan Patnaik, journalist Dillip Satpathy, Abasar Beuria and Dr Bhagaba Prakash graced the occasion as guests.
Cadets belonging to the CRPF, Scouts and Guides, NCC and Red Cross provided support to the event.