Chandigarh, September 27- Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini on Sunday flagged off the ‘Drug-Free Haryana Faridabad Namo Marathon-2026’ from the historic Surajkund, with more than 1.35 lakh people participating in the mega event and raising a collective voice against drugs.
Addressing the participants, the Chief Minister said, “A resounding voice against drugs has risen from the land of Faridabad through the Namo Marathon today.” He said that the steps taken forward in the marathon were not merely a run on the roads, but were carrying forward Haryana’s collective consciousness and resolve against drugs.
More than 1.35 lakh people registered for the grand marathon organised in Faridabad, and almost all the registered participants reached the venue to take part in the event. The massive participation transformed Surajkund into a magnificent reflection of the collective resolve for a drug-free society. Since early morning, the enthusiasm of youth, women, senior citizens, sportspersons, students and people from different sections of society was clearly visible at the venue.
The event went beyond a marathon and emerged as a broad public message of de-addiction, fitness, healthy lifestyle, youth power, social unity and nation-building. A large number of young people participated in the marathon with great enthusiasm, conveying the message of staying away from drugs and channelising their energy in a positive direction. The notable participation of women and senior citizens further underlined that the fight against drugs is not the resolve of any one section, but a shared commitment of the entire society.
*Different Distances, One Destination—Drug-Free Haryana*
Participants took part in different categories of the marathon covering 21 kilometres, 10 kilometres and 5 kilometres. The distance was different, the pace varied and the participants belonged to different age groups, but the destination was the same for everyone—Drug-Free Haryana.
The Chief Minister showered flower petals on the participants and encouraged them. He said that Haryana’s identity is defined by hard work, medals and valour. The youth of Haryana are known not for drugs, but for their hard work, talent and dedication towards their goals. He called upon the youth to firmly say ‘No’ to drugs.
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that drugs not only weaken the body, but also snatch away dreams, affect families and hollow out society. He called upon the youth to channelise their energy and talent not into drugs, but into sports, education, skills, employment, innovation and nation-building.
*Surajkund Echoes with Chants of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’*
During the marathon, the Surajkund complex was imbued with a strong spirit of patriotism and social resolve. The entire atmosphere echoed with chants of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’. The countless steps moving forward together conveyed the message of a healthy society, drug-free youth and a strong nation.
The Chief Minister said that the day’s run was not merely a race to move forward on the road, but a run to advance social awareness against drugs. He extended his greetings to every runner, sportsperson, student, daughter and volunteer participating in the event.
*Chief Minister Administers Pledge for a Drug-Free Society*
During the programme, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini administered a pledge to the large number of participants present, urging them to stay away from drugs and play their role in building a drug-free society. The participants pledged that they would themselves stay away from drugs and also motivate their family members, friends and other people in society to stay away from drugs.
The collective pledge transformed the Namo Marathon from merely a sporting event into a major campaign for social change and public awareness.
The Chief Minister said that the fight against drugs is not the responsibility of the government or the police alone. It is a collective fight involving every household, every school and every village. He urged parents and teachers to maintain open and regular communication with children.
*Call to Transform Youth Energy into the Power of Nation-Building*
The Chief Minister said that youth is the greatest strength of any nation. Therefore, it is essential to protect youth power from the grip of drugs and channelise their energy towards nation-building. He called upon young people to take up sports, adopt a healthy lifestyle and work hard to achieve their goals.
He said that the youth of Haryana have always brought glory to the State and the country on the sporting field. If the State’s youth power remains away from drugs and channels its energy into positive activities, Haryana will achieve new heights of development.
*Message of Fitness and Healthy Lifestyle Also Delivered*
The Faridabad Namo Marathon delivered a strong message of fitness and healthy lifestyle along with the message of de-addiction. The participation of people from different age groups demonstrated that age is no barrier to living a healthy life.
The enthusiasm of youth, participation of women and active involvement of senior citizens emerged as special features of the event. Through the marathon, people conveyed the message of adopting regular exercise, physical activity and a positive lifestyle.
*De-Addiction Message Linked with Seva Sankalp Abhiyan*
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the inspiration for service and resolve comes from Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi. To mark the completion of 25 years of Prime Minister’s public service, the ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’ is being organised from September 17 to October 17. As part of this campaign, the message of the ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan’ is being taken to the people. The Faridabad Namo Marathon is a strong link in this chain of service, resolve and social awareness.
He said that the message of de-addiction is being taken to every district and village of the State through ‘Haryana Uday’. If any family requires assistance related to drug addiction, it should not hesitate to seek help. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of courage.
*Participation of Over 1.35 Lakh People Creates a New Chapter of Collective Resolve*
The registration of more than 1.35 lakh people for the Faridabad Namo Marathon, with almost all registered participants reaching the venue, became a testimony to the enthusiasm and widespread public participation in the event.
The coming together of such a large number of people with a common objective was the most significant feature of the marathon. Every participant moved forward carrying three clear messages: distance from drugs, proximity to health and participation in nation-building.
The event brought sports, fitness, social awareness and public participation together on one platform and helped take the message of de-addiction to a wider section of society.
*Faridabad Namo Marathon Emerges as an Event with Notable Public Participation at the National Level*
The Chief Minister said that the manner in which every section of society participated in the Faridabad Namo Marathon was special in itself. More than 1.35 lakh registrations, near-complete participation, a large presence of youth, and enthusiastic participation by women and senior citizens have made the event notable for its wide public participation.
He said that the marathon is not merely a one-day event, but the message emerging from it will continue to inspire society in the times to come to stay away from drugs, adopt a healthy lifestyle and contribute to nation-building.
*Resolve to Move from a Drug-Free Haryana towards a Developed India*
The Chief Minister said that the resolve for a Drug-Free Haryana is not limited merely to giving up drugs. Its broader objective is to make the youth healthy, educated, capable, self-reliant and responsible citizens. When the youth of the State remain healthy and channelise their energy into constructive activities, it will strengthen the goal of a Developed India.
He said that protecting youth power from drugs and connecting it with sports, education, skills, employment and nation-building is a priority responsibility of both the government and society.
Calling for a collective resolve, the Chief Minister said, “We will neither consume drugs ourselves nor allow anyone else to do so. We will channel the energy of our youth not into drugs, but into nation-building. A drug-free Haryana is our resolve, a healthy Haryana is our identity, and a developed India is our goal.”
The Chief Minister said that the real success of the event would be when the voice for de-addiction raised from Faridabad reaches every district, every village and every household of Haryana. ‘Nasha nahi, ab sapnon ka ujala hoga—Hamara Haryana, Nashamukt Haryana hoga’, he said.
*Prashant Chaudhary Wins Men’s 21.1-Km Event; Vikram Singh Finishes First Runner-Up*
Participants delivered impressive performances in various events of the ‘Drug-Free Haryana Faridabad Namo Marathon-2026’. In the 21.1-kilometre men’s category Prashant Chaudhary emerged as the winner, Vikram Singh secured the first runner-up position, while Anuj Meena finished as the second runner-up.
In the 21.1-kilometre women’s category, Sonika emerged as the winner, while Manav Rana secured the first runner-up position and Bhumika finished as the second runner-up.
In the 10-kilometre men’s category, Rohit Kumar emerged as the winner, Gaurav secured the first runner-up position and Nishant Karhana finished as the second runner-up. Similarly, in the 10-kilometre women’s category, Neeru Rani secured the first position, Sonia Upadhyay finished as the first runner-up and Reema Patel secured the second runner-up position.
Union Minister Sh. Krishan Pal Gurjar, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Sh. Vipul Goel, Minister of State for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Sh. Rajesh Nagar, Minister of State for Sports Sh.Gaurav Gautam, Ballabhgarh MLA Sh. Mool Chand Sharma, Badkhal MLA Sh. Dhanesh Adlakha, Faridabad NIT MLA Sh. Satish Kumar Phagna and Media Advisor to Chief Minister Sh. Rajeev Jaitly, along with several other dignitaries, public representatives, sportspersons, youth, women, senior citizens and a large number of citizens, were present on the occasion.
