Last Updated:
Nearly 20,000 people joined Punjab’s biggest youth run in Bathinda, promoting sports and sending a strong message against drugs.
Bathinda Sees 20,000 Turnout For ‘Youth Run Punjab-2026’ Against Drug Abuse
Nearly 20,000 youngsters and players participated in the ‘Youth Run Punjab-2026’ in Bathinda on Sunday, in what organisers described as Punjab’s biggest youth run. The event sought to promote sports and fitness while sending a message against drug abuse.
The run was organised under the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal as part of the state government’s ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ campaign.
Children, youngsters, women and senior citizens participated in the event. Winners were awarded cash prizes of up to ₹11,000, while all participants received T-shirts and participation medals.
Arvind Kejriwal Says Youth Leading Fight Against Drugs
Reacting to the event, Arvind Kejriwal said Punjab’s youth were taking the lead in addressing the drug menace with the support of the state government.
“This is the new Punjab. That lost hope is back. You can see the spark in our youth,” Kejriwal said in a post on X.
He added that the participation of young people in such initiatives was “heartwarming” and said the youth were leading the effort to clear the drug menace from Punjab.
‘Charda Punjab, Khed’da Punjab, Bhajda Punjab’
Rajbir Singh Ghuman, OSD to Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, said the Bathinda event was the third marathon in the series, which was launched from Mohali.
“Today, Bathinda has witnessed the participation of nearly 20,000 people,” Ghuman said, adding that people from different age groups and walks of life participated with enthusiasm.
Ghuman said the turnout demonstrated Punjabis’ interest in sports and fitness. Taking a swipe at narratives that have portrayed Punjab negatively, he said the event offered an answer to the “Udta Punjab” narrative through “Charda Punjab, Khed’da Punjab and Bhajda Punjab Rangla Punjab.”
Ghuman Says Participation Was ‘Completely Organic’
Ghuman said participants had registered themselves and attended the event on their own.
“The kind of enthusiasm that we are seeing today is a very strong message that Punjab is moving towards sports, fitness and a drug-free future,” he said.
He congratulated the people of Bathinda for the response, saying the turnout had set a new target for upcoming marathons in Patiala and Ludhiana.
Ghuman said such events would continue to be organised across Punjab and appealed to people to support the initiative and encourage youngsters to choose sports and fitness over drugs.
The Bathinda event was presented as a major boost to the ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ campaign, with organisers emphasising sports, fitness and a drug-free future for Punjab’s youth.
About the Author
Pragya Bahuguna is a digital journalist at News18.com, covering national and international news, including Indian politics and geopolitics, with an interest in environment and climate affairs. She hol…Read More
Punjab, India, India
September 13, 2026, 7:36 PM IST
Read More
Source link
[ad_3]
