Jharkhand Govt holds marathon to mark International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], June 26 (ANI): In a strong message against substance abuse, the Jharkhand Government on Wednesday organised a marathon from Morhabadi Ground to Albert Ekka Chowk to observe the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Speaking at the event, Jharkhand Sports Minister Sudivya Kumar said, 'I hope all districts will take further steps to fight the drug menace.'
Earlier on June 22, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Director General Anurag Garg highlighted the growing challenge of drug abuse and the bureau's renewed approach toward combating it.
'26 June is celebrated as International Anti-Drug day and the way it is emerging in our society, NCB has decided that we won't celebrate it as a day, we will celebrate it as a Pakhwada,' he said.
He further added that the bureau is taking the campaign to the grassroots by engaging with communities across the country.
'On this occasion, we are celebrating different programmes in various locations - schools, colleges, and public places and providing information about the side effects of drugs,' Garg said.
In Visakhapatnam, the Narcotics Control Bureau along with EAGLE Visakhapatnam, in collaboration with Decathlon, successfully organised a Cyclothon on June 22 as part of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Pakhwada' campaign. The event was held in alignment with the United Nations' resolution to observe June 26 as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
The Cyclothon was flagged off by Pankaj Kumar Dwivedi, who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and the event was coordinated by Rajan Kumar, Superintendent, NCB Visakhapatnam, S Ramesh, Inspector EAGLE and Kalyani, Inspector, EAGLE.The initiative witnessed enthusiastic participation from various stakeholders including EAGLE Anti-Narcotics Task Force, Visakhapatnam, and State Bank of India (SBI), Siripuram Branch.
Over 100 cyclists from diverse backgrounds took part in the event, raising awareness and spreading the powerful message, 'Say Yes to Life, No to Drugs.' The participants pedalled through designated city routes, symbolising unity and a collective stand against the menace of drug abuse.
The event reinforced NCB' s and ANTF' S commitment to community engagement and drug prevention through public awareness initiatives and collaborative efforts. (ANI)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
15 minutes ago
- Mint
Rath Yatra 2025: Puri gears up for sibling deities' grand annual journey today
Rath Yatra 2025: A large crowd has assembled to take part in the Jagannath Rath Yatra as the annual festival is set to begin on Friday in Puri. District Magistrate Siddharth Swain and Superintendent of Police Vineet Agarwal shared updates on the planning efforts to guarantee a safe and orderly event. Authorities confirmed that comprehensive security measures have been put in place for the Yatra. Puri DM Siddharth Swain told ANI, 'The three chariots have been brought to their designated place for their Gundicha Yatra. Elaborate security arrangements have been made. NSG is also present here.' "Today, Mahaprabhu's Rath Yatra will take place. Devotees in huge numbers will gather in Puri. Police have made adequate preparations. All measures for public safety, crowd management and public convenience have been taken. Traffic facilitation has been taken care of. Central agencies have also assisted... The Rath Yatra will be conducted smoothly. Our surveillance teams will remain present at the integrated control room. We also have anti-drone teams. They took down three drones today. Except for the friendly drones, action will be taken against any other drone movement," Puri SP Vineet Agarwal added. Pooja Anand, a devotee, said, 'I have come from Mumbai. It is an out-of-this-world experience. I have been a devotee for 20 years, but this is my first time here. It is a divine experience... I want to pull the chariot. This is one day of the year when the Lord comes out of his abode and blesses the 'jagat', the universe... Everyone should come here and seek blessings... The weather here is very pleasant. It rained all night…' Gundicha Marjana (Temple Cleaning): June 26 Rath Yatra (Chariot Procession): 27 June 2025 (Friday) Bahuda Yatra (Return): July 4–5 Suna Besha (Golden Attire): July 5–6. Niladri Bijay (Final Return): July 8. Keeping in view the huge footfall, Odisha DGP Y B Khurania said elaborate security arrangements have been made for the event. The civil and police administrations are on high alert as lakhs of devotees will witness the annual event under tight security. Over 275 AI-enabled CCTV cameras have been installed across Puri and on the roads to Konark, 35 km away and famous for the 13th-century Sun Temple, for surveillance. Apart, the DGP said that the National Security Guard (NSG) snipers will take positions on rooftops along Grand Road in front of the temple. Police drones, anti-sabotage teams, bomb squads, and dog squads are also deployed. The Marine Police, Coast Guard, and Indian Navy will secure the seafront, he said. Puri: Devotees perform the 'Gundicha Marjana' ritual on the eve of the annual Rath Yatra festival, at Gundicha Temple in Puri, Thursday, June 26, 2025. (PTI Photo) Meanwhile, IMD in its evening bulletin forecast said thunderstorms with lightning with gusty surface wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph likely to occur in several districts including Puri on Friday. Mahaprabhu's Rath Yatra will take place. Devotees in huge numbers will gather in Puri. Police have made adequate preparations. Comprehensive security measures have been put in place for the Yatra. While the Indian Railways runs 365 trains to Puri, the Odisha government has engaged around 800 buses to transport devotees from different districts. (This is a developing story)
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
CM vows to make state drug-free
Guntur: In a decisive move to eradicate drug abuse, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday launched a comprehensive campaign against ganja and narcotics, vowing to transform Andhra Pradesh into a drug-free state. On the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the state rallied behind the slogan 'No Drugs Bro,' symbolising a united front against substance abuse. The Chief Minister personally led a walkathon in Guntur, from Fever Hospital Junction to Mirchi Dhaba, joined by citizens and students. Participants, holding banners and chanting slogans, pledged their support for a drug-free society. Following the rally, the Chief Minister addressed a conference. As part of its intensified crackdown, the state government announced that properties of individuals involved in the cultivation, transportation, or sale of drugs will be confiscated. To foster public participation, dedicated citizen reporting channels have been launched, including a WhatsApp helpline (8977781972) and a toll-free number (1972), enabling confidential reporting of drug-related activities. The state is also significantly expanding its rehabilitation infrastructure, with plans to establish 56 new de-addiction centers, three of which will meet world-class standards. Additionally, fast-track courts for NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) cases are being set up in key cities such as Visakhapatnam, Rajahmundry, Guntur, and Tirupati. To promote long-term awareness and prevention, schools will introduce 'Eagle Clubs', and celebrities and social media influencers are being urged to actively participate in anti-drug campaigns. The government will further leverage technology, deploying drones and CCTV networks to monitor and curb drug-related activities more effectively. Naidu sharply criticised the previous government for its perceived inaction on drug control, stating that under the YSRCP regime, Visakhapatnam had become a hub for ganja smuggling. He emphasised that political leaders must lead by example, issuing a stern warning that anyone — regardless of political affiliation — found supporting or collaborating with drug mafias will face severe consequences. Expressing deep concern over the rising cases of drug abuse among the youth, the Chief Minister noted, 'Drugs are destroying lives and turning people into criminals. Our goal is to eliminate this threat from its roots. By 2047, we aim to make the Telugu nation number one — and that means building a drug-free society today.' Calling for broad community support, the Chief Minister urged citizens to take an active role in reporting drug use and supporting those seeking rehabilitation.
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
DIG urges youth to stay away from drugs
Vizianagaram: DIG Gopinath Jatti of the Visakhapatnam range urged youth and students to steer clear of drugs and other sedatives. He emphasised the importance of focusing on their studies and careers rather than engaging in poor habits. On Thursday, the police department observed an Anti-Drug Day. Speaking on the occasion, DIG Jatti said that strict action is being taken against those involved in cannabis cultivation. In the past, cannabis was grown on 15,000 acres in the agency areas, but with the help of drone technology, these crops were identified and destroyed. Due to the police's enforcement efforts, cannabis cultivation has now been reduced to just 93 acres in remote hilltop villages. He expressed optimism that steps are being taken to completely eliminate cannabis cultivation in the near future. To date, properties worth Rs 9.20 crore belonging to eight individuals involved in the cannabis trade within the Visakhapatnam Range have been confiscated. District collector Dr BR Ambedkar highlighted that young people are particularly vulnerable to drug habits and emphasized the necessity of awareness programs like this one. He stressed that such initiatives are crucial for bringing youth together and educating them about the dangers associated with drug use. SP Vakul Jindal noted that controlling drug-related issues poses a significant challenge for society. The district police are raising awareness through programs like 'Sankalpam' and mobile awareness vehicles. He emphasised the necessity for everyone to comprehend the destructive impact drugs can have on careers and lives. Jindal said that students' often underestimate the risks of trying drugs even once, not realising how quickly addiction can take hold. Some youth, once addicted, resort to petty thefts due to financial constraints, leading them down a path of criminal behaviour. So far, the district has registered 200 cases, arrested 360 individuals, and seized large quantities of cannabis. History sheets have been created for offenders, and their movements are being closely monitored. He warned that anyone found using, selling, or transporting cannabis will face strict legal action. Prior to the program, a large rally was organized with student participation.
