Chandigarh, July 23, 2025
Continuing the ongoing war against drugs, a special meeting was convened today by Shri Jai Krishan Singh Rouri, Deputy Speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha, to organize the Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh National Marathon as part of the anti-drug campaign.
The Deputy Speaker stated that under the leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister Sardar Bhagwant Singh Mann, a statewide campaign against drugs is being run to save Punjab’s youth, secure their future, and restore Punjab’s glory as a vibrant, joyful, and sports-loving state. Today’s special meeting was convened in this context, and he expressed confidence that every Punjabi would wholeheartedly support this initiative of the government.
He informed that as part of the ongoing anti-drug campaign, a state-level Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh National Marathon will be organized on September 27, 2025, at Mahilpur (Garhshankar), District Hoshiarpur, also known as the nursery of football in Punjab. This meeting was specifically called to plan for this state-level event, and he added that the preparations would only be successful with the cooperation of the concerned departments. He also shared that SRSF NGO is extending its support for this marathon.
The Deputy Speaker highlighted that the Hon’ble Chief Minister had taken his oath at Khatkar Kalan, the birthplace of Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh, and every year, a state-level event is held there on the birth anniversary of Shaheed-e-Azam. This year as well, a state-level program will be held on September 28, 2025, and in connection with this, the marathon dedicated to Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh is being organized a day earlier on September 27, 2025.
He mentioned that during this period, World Tourism Day is also celebrated, and hence, the idea is to align this state-level program with both World Tourism Day and the birth anniversary of Shaheed-e-Azam, making it a remarkable and purposeful event.
He added that Shaheed Bhagat Singh dreamed of a healthy and strong nation where every youth would be dedicated to the country. Keeping his vision in mind, it is our duty to eradicate drugs and organize such initiatives to build a better society. He said that this marathon would encourage youth to stay away from drugs, run for a drug-free Punjab, promote sports participation among them, and foster a spirit of patriotism.
The Deputy Speaker informed that the marathon will include different categories of 5 km, 10 km, 21 km, and 42 km, allowing children, youth, elderly, and disabled persons to participate. Winners will be honored with various awards to encourage participation. A “Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh Sports Icon Award” will also be presented by Punjab. Schools, colleges, and universities will be involved in this program, with prominent personalities who have brought laurels to India and abroad being invited to participate.
He emphasized that for the success of this state-level event, cooperation will be sought from the Department of Sports and Youth Services, Department of Tourism, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Department of School Education, and Department of Higher Education, alongside the Department of Sports and Youth Services. Attendees of the meeting included, Shri Jai Krishan Singh Rouri, Deputy Speaker, Shri Parminder Singh Goldy, Chairman, Punjab Youth Development Board, Shri Sarvjit Singh (IAS), Special Chief Secretary, Sports and Youth Services
Shri Abhinav Trikha (IAS), Secretary, Tourism Department, Dr. S.P. Anand Kumar (IAS), Special Secretary, Sports and Youth Services, Smt. Deepti Uppal (IAS), Special Secretary, Local Government, Smt. Ashika Jain, Deputy Commissioner, Hoshiarpur
Shri Sandeep Kumar Malik (IPS), Hoshiarpur, Shri A.K. Kalpana, Additional Secretary, School Education
Shri Prashotam Kumar, Deputy Secretary, General Administration, Shri Deepankar Garg, Deputy Secretary, General Administration, Dr. Ajitpal Singh, Joint Director, Sports and Youth Services, Dr. Hitinder Kaur, Director, Health Services, Dr. Sandeep, State Project Officer, Mental Health and De-addiction, Shri Vimal Kumar Sethia, Director, Information and Public Relations, Punjab
Sundeep Singh Gada, Additional Director (Admin), Information and Public Relations, Joint Principal Secretary to CM Punjab, Shri Arvinder Singh, Principal Harbhajan Singh Sporting Club, Mahilpur, Dr. Parminder Singh, Principal, SGGS Khalsa College, Mahilpur
Dr. Basant Garg, Nodal Officer, Anti-Drug Campaign, Dr. Sajan Sharma, SRSF, Shri Mohit Bansal, SRSF, Shri Lakshya Bharti, SRSF, Shri Ram Lok Khatana, Secretary, Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Shri Mohit Attri, Public Relations Officer, Deputy Speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha
