Chandigarh, August 27- After the successful organization of Khelo India Youth Games, Panchkula situated in the foothills of Shivalik has become the identity of cultural and sports. Now, it is also set to symbolize a drug-free Haryana. In this endeavor, a Raahgiri programme was organized, wherein thousands of people from Panchkula participated and administered a pledge against drug addiction and embraced the patriotic theme of 'Rang De Basanti'. The event witnessed the enthusiastic presence of women, school children, and enlightened individuals, who collectively took pledge to abstain from plastic usage, promote environmental protection, save and educate daughters.
During this event, Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal graced this occasion as the chief guest. The Vidhan Sabha Speaker, Sh. Gian Chand Gupta, Mayor, Sh. Kulbhushan Goyal, and several other dignitaries also graced the program with their presence.
Kicking off the programme with a cycling event, the Chief Minister inaugurated the Raahgiri programme. During his public address, he said that the programme will now be a regular occurrence and highlighted the ongoing Raahgiri events happening in different cities across the state. Underlining the significance of initiatives like Raahgiri in terms of stress relief and health enhancement, he underscored that maintaining a healthy mind is essential for overall well-being. Moreover, he revealed the forthcoming plans for the Cyclothon programme, set to begin in Karnal on September 1 and spanning a duration of 25 days. This program will cover the entire state, culminating in Yamuna Nagar.
The Raahgiri programme of this year embraced the theme 'Rang De Basanti', with the intention of nurturing patriotism within the younger generation. Students from Panchkula enthusiastically paraded the national tricolor during the event, infusing it with even more vitality. The Chief Minister himself wholeheartedly embraced the theme, gracing the stage with a rendition of the song 'Rang De Basanti', wherein he interpreted its essence as a clarion call to fulfill one's responsibilities towards the nation. He spurred on the students to commit to a path of progress, propelled by the unwavering principle of achieving excellence through their pursuits. In recognition of the indispensable roles played by parents, educators, and society at large, he acknowledged their pivotal contributions in supporting this transformative journey.
The event featured 37 stalls focused on patriotism and health benefits, including exhibitions by numerous women self-help groups. The Chief Minister visited a stall showcasing reusable bags, imparting the message of reducing plastic usage. He highlighted the presence of over 55 thousand self-help groups in the state, emphasizing their contribution to self-reliance through products and the government's provision of timely loans.
Commending India's feat of successfully landing Chandrayaan-3 on the South Pole of the Moon, the Chief Minister attributed this accomplishment to the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the substantial contributions made by the scientists of our country.
Promoting the Fit India - Fit Haryana - Fit Panchkula message, the event included different sports and activities organized by Patanjali Yog Samiti. The Chief Minister joined in yoga sessions and played games with children, inspiring them for a better future. The kids happily took selfies and group pictures with him.
The Raahgiri programme focused not only on 'Rang De Basanti' but also emphasized road safety. The Chief Minister met with three talented young athletes from Panchkula who had done well in international competitions. To encourage them, he honoured them special Team Raahgiri T-shirts from his own collection of awards. These accomplished young athletes included Aranya Thakur, who won a silver medal in the Asian Taekwondo Championship in Vietnam, Nidhi Dhul, who secured the 7th position in the Wushu Junior Asian Championship, and Nidhi Dhul, who achieved success in Asian Boxing in Tajikistan.