On the occasion of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the 24th Raahgiri took a pledge to say no to drugs here on Sunday.
Inaugurating the programme, BMC Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena said the city will always be against the use of drugs. The civic administration will be in constant vigil against any kind of its violation, he added. Social service organisations also tried to spread the messages through rallies at the Raahgiri venue.
Doon International School students took away an impressive rally to say no to drugs. Several awareness messages were also given by them so that the youths will stay away from the evils of drug use.
City-based organization, People’s Cultural Centre, also organised programmes against drug use and also to stop violence against women and girls in society.
The Odisha Tourism Department projected various heritage sites to attract the people to Raahgiri.
To create interest among the people in visiting the nearby monuments of historical interests, the step has been taken, said Tourism and Culture Minister Ashok Chandra Panda.
He also said through this the coming generation will take more interest in promoting the heritage sites.
The beautification of the heritage area in the Old Town is in the focus of the State Government and more green spaces will be created soon to boost tourism, Panda added.
Better connectivity will be ensured so that tourists can spend less time to travel sites in the city and around it, he informed.
While the Jai Odisha continued its work to provide cycling experience for the participants of the Raahgiri event, the Aama Kalakar Parivaar (AKP), Suraj Rana, Bhabani, Rahul, the Dev Dance Group, Saroj and Group, the Nalco Group, the Dance XSC and Debasish Jena tried to entertain the audience.