Bhubaneswar, Sept 21: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi on Sunday inaugurated the 'Namo Yuva Run,' a key event organized by the BJP to celebrate Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 75th birthday, at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
The event is being organized across 75 locations nationwide under the theme "Nasha Mukt Bharat" (Drug-Free India) and is expected to witness over 10 lakh young participants.
CM Majhi inaugurated the event and took part in the marathon as well. The race, which began at Kalinga Stadium and concluded at Janata Maidan, saw the Chief Minister running alongside students, athletes, youth, and various leaders, all coming together to promote awareness about a drug-free India.
In his address, CM Majhi appealed to the people of Odisha, stating that PM Modi's new initiative to make India drug-free would inspire the youth to contribute towards nation-building.
He expressed full confidence in the youth, highlighting their knowledge, skills, work ethic, and growing sense of responsibility as crucial factors in shaping a developed India.
CM Majhi also commended several initiatives of PM Modi, which have successfully tackled key national challenges, including poverty reduction, which is now at its lowest point. He further praised the efforts in ensuring the provision of electricity and drinking water in every village. Programs like Make in India, Digital India, and Stand Up India are paving the way for the country's journey toward self-reliance, he concluded.
Speaking about the campaign for a drug-free India, he highlighted the growing impact of substances like alcohol, gutkha, smoking, ganja, and other drugs in today's society. He pointed out that addiction doesn’t just ruin the individual; it also devastates their family. Addiction results in academic failure, poor health, a rise in criminal behavior, and family discord. He further stated that a young person struggling with addiction destroys their parents' dreams and aspirations.
He emphasized that anyone who shapes the future of the country will ultimately become a burden to the nation if they fall into addiction.
The responsibility of making the country drug-free has been entrusted by PM Modi to the youth. It is up to you to fulfill PM Modi’s vision. You will be the catalysts for this transformation, he said.
On this occasion, CM Majhi urged the entire youth to take a pledge, saying, "To build a drug-free India, the power of the youth must be fully harnessed in the nation-building process."
After the event, CM Majhi visited a tea stall near the Mayfair Square, where he had a cup of tea and interacted with the people present.
While having tea, the Chief Minister often asked elderly people about their health and, at times, inquired with adults about government services.
He also spoke to the students around, encouraging them to study well and educating the youth about the dangers of drug consumption.
Present at the event, along with CM Majhi, were School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond, Sports and Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, Bhubaneswar-Ekamra MLA Babu Singh, Digapahandi MLA Sidhant Mohapatra, and senior leaders.
