On first day of foot march against drugs, Governor Kataria keeps it away from politics

Leading the march, Governor Kataria said that Punjab would be ‘Rangla Punjab’ (Prosperous Punjab) — a phrase often quoted by CM Bhagwant Mann — only when it is free from drugs, as narcotic substances have no place on the land of Sikh gurus, prophets and warriors.

Though the Punjab governor started the march while invoking Aam Aadmi Party’s ongoing campaign against drugs, AAP politicians, including its local MLA Gurdeep Singh Randhawa, stayed away from the event. The BJP also remained away from the march, which continued through Gurdaspur. The rally will pass through a series of routes connecting landmark destinations, before concluding at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar on April 8.

He called for joint efforts from the Central and state governments to fight drug menace.

Governor Kataria, unlike his predecessor Banwarilal Purohit, was not critical of the state government while highlighting the cause of drug eradication.

“The brave people of Punjab who have always given a befitting reply to the outside invasions, would also achieve victory against drugs. The land of Punjab is a symbol of protecting the religion and culture and has made huge sacrifices against tyranny and oppression,” he said, while recalling the sacrifices of 10th Guru Gobind Singh to motivate the participants.

Taking Pakistan to task, the Governor said that the neighbouring country is not capable of fighting direct war against India. “Hence, it (Pakistan) is targeting the youths of our country through drugs but its nefarious designs would never succeed. One of the various methods employed by the smugglers is sending drugs from across the border through drones. But our security forces, with the help of the public, have nipped such activities in the bud and are constantly striving to completely put an end to such anti-national activities. The state government is also taking strict action against the drug smugglers and breaking the drug network,” he said.

Hundreds of school children dressed in white, members of social organisations, and administration officials participated in the event, holding placards with messages like ‘Nasha Chhodo, Jeevan Jodo’ (Quit Drugs, Embrace Life). The event also saw the active participation from Border Security Force (BSF), district administration, Land Port Authority of India, intellectuals, writers, sportspersons, and panchayat representatives.

On Thursday, the march began from Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor and passed through the bazaars of Dera Baba Nanak and culminated at St Francis School, Dera Baba Nanak. Governor Kataria paid obeisance at Gurdwara Sri Darbar Sahib. He was conferred ‘siropa’ (robe of honour) by the gurdwara committee on the occasion. Kataria, who is also the state president of Indian Red Cross Society, distributed tricycles to the needy on behalf of the organisation. The governor also met the representatives of the village defence committees at Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor and sought their support in the war against drugs.

On Friday, April 4, the rally would be taken out from Badeshan Resort to S D College, Fatehgarh Churian in Gurdaspur district.

Vivek Pratap Singh, Governor’s Principal Secretary; Shivdular Singh Dhillon, state secretary, Indian Red Cross Society; Dalwinderjit Singh, Gurdaspur Deputy Commissioner; Satinder Singh, Deputy Inspector General, Border Range; Sohail Qasim Mir, Senior Superintendent of Police, Batala; Dr Harjinder Singh Bedi, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General); Gurpreet Singh, ADC (Development); and T R Sharma, general manager of Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, were present during the flagging-off ceremony.