Bhubaneswar: In a vibrant show of community spirit, Bhubaneswar hosted a grand marathon on Sunday as part of the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan’ (Drug-Free India Campaign), coinciding with the nationwide ‘Seva Pakhwada’ celebrating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday.
Dubbed the ‘Namo Yuva Run’, the event kicked off at Kalinga Stadium and ended at Janata Maidan, attracting thousands of enthusiastic participants from diverse backgrounds.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi launched the marathon and joined the run, sharing the track with students, athletes, youth groups, and notable leaders. Speaking to the crowd, he urged Odisha’s residents to dedicate themselves to creating a drug-free India, describing the campaign as a vital stride toward nation-building
.“The Prime Minister’s vision to eradicate addiction will motivate our youth to lead the charge for a healthier, stronger India,” Majhi declared. Empowering Youth for a Stronger India Majhi expressed optimism about the role of India’s youth in driving this movement, highlighting their knowledge, skills, and responsibility as pillars for a developed nation.
“The Prime Minister’s initiatives—like village electrification, universal access to drinking water, ‘Make in India’, ‘Digital India’, and ‘Stand Up India’—have fuelled self-reliance and slashed poverty levels. A drug-free India is the next milestone,” he stated.
The Chief Minister issued a stark warning about the rising threat of substance abuse, including alcohol, tobacco, gutkha, cannabis, and other drugs.
“Addiction devastates individuals and their families, leading to academic failure, declining health, increased crime, and broken households. A youth lost to drugs crushes parental hopes and hinders nation-building,” he cautioned. He led the youth in a pledge to act as catalysts for change, committing to a drug-free India.
Post-marathon, Majhi made an impromptu visit to a tea stall near Mayfair Square, engaging with locals over tea. He checked on an elderly woman’s well-being, discussed government benefits for seniors, and encouraged students to prioritise education and raise awareness about the dangers of addiction.
The event saw participation from School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond, Sports and Higher Education Minister Suraj Suryavanshi, Ekamra Bhubaneswar MLA Babu Singh, Digapahandi MLA Siddhanta Mahapatra, and several senior party figures.
