Chandigarh, Sept 1– In a significant move towards raising awareness about drug-free living and promoting environmental sustainability, Haryana Chief Minister Sh Manohar Lal announced that every Tuesday will be designated as a car-free day in Karnal. As part of this initiative, all government officials will be required to travel by bicycle on Tuesdays. Furthermore, Chief Minister also pledged that if he visits Karnal, he will personally lead by example and travel by bicycle on Tuesdays.

The Chief Minister made this announcement while addressing a large gathering of enthusiastic youth during the flag-off ceremony of the Drug Free Haryana Cyclothon rally in Karnal today. Prior to commencing the Cyclothon rally, he also administered an oath to the young participants, urging them to stay away from drug addiction.

Under the banner of the Haryana Uday campaign in the  Aazadi ka Amrit Mahotsav period, Drug Free Haryana Cyclothon rally launched with a remarkable start. Thousands of youth participated in the Cyclothon rally in Karnal, setting the stage for Haryana to create a world record in Cyclothon participation with three lakh youth, going to surpass the previous record held by Madhya Pradesh with around 37,000 participants.

The Chief Minister said that this campaign against drug addiction, initiated in Karnal, the city of Danveer Karna, will traverse through various districts of the state, culminating in a grand youth rally in Karnal on the evening of September 25. The message of the Cyclothon rally, conducted under the Drug Free Haryana campaign, is poised to resonate throughout the country, safeguarding the lives of the young generation.

Recognizing the widespread issue of drug addiction in neighboring Punjab, Chief Minister highlighted the need to protect Haryana's youth from the same fate. To save our youth from drug addiction, the Haryana government, in collaboration with social and religious organizations, is committed to realizing the vision of a drug-free Haryana. He said that under Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao campaign, the Haryana government has played an active role in saving and educating the girl child, now we will save the lives of the youth by keeping them away from the evil of drugs under the Drug Free Haryana campaign.

Sh Manohar Lal stressed that the Cyclothon rally serves a dual purpose, promoting not only a drug-free lifestyle but also physical well-being through cycling, which is akin to yoga and enhances physical development. He commended the active participation of both male and female youth in the rally, along with village chowkidars celebrating increased wages on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.

Addressing the youth, the Chief Minister asserted that their determination has the potential to shape a better society and nation. He encouraged them to channel their energy towards the betterment of society and the country, creating a positive impact on the community.

Highlighting the valor and achievements of Haryana's youth, the Chief Minister noted their success in sports, the armed forces, scientific endeavors, and even on Chandrayaan-3.

After flagging off the Cyclothon rally, the Chief Minister actively participated by cycling alongside the youth, motivating them with slogans of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" and "Drug Free Haryana."

The administration has made adequate security and traffic arrangements for the rally, with ambulance services and refreshment facilities available at various points. The Cyclothon rally is expected to enter Panipat district later today.

Renowned athletes and artists lent their voices to the campaign, urging Haryana's youth to make the state drug-free. They vowed to conduct campaigns in villages and cities to eliminate drug addiction, echoing the Chief Minister's commitment to a drug-free Haryana.

MP Mr. Sanjay Bhatia, MLA Mr. Harvinder Kalyan, MLA Mr. Ramkumar Kashyap, Special Officer, Community Policing and Outreach Sh. Pankaj Nain and officials from district administration also joined the rally to promote de-addiction.