In continuation of the Punjab Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann's efforts to transform the state into Rangla and Sehtamand (Healthy) Punjab, the awareness programme conducted by the SAS Nagar Police under the theme; "Punjab Says No to Drugs-A Step Towards Rangla Punjab" at Sports Complex, Sector 78, Mohali got a tremendous response with the participation of students and celebrities to endorse the efforts.
Celebrities including renowned Actors and Singers Kanwar Grewal, Kartar Cheema, Sunanda Sharma and Gurnam Bhullar Supported the campaign by their physical presence and sensitised the students to save themselves from the menace of drugs.
ADGP Rupanagar Range, Jaskaran Singh and SSP Dr Sandeep Garg especially held an interactive session with the students to resolve their queries related to the drugs. The prominent persons other than ADGP and SSP, who were part of the interactive session included MLA Derabassi Kuljit Singh Randhawa, Chairperson District Planning Committee Prabhjot Kaur, DLSA Secretary, CJM Baljinder Singh Mann, ADC (G) Viraj S Tidke, Psychiatrist Dr Gurmukh besides Kanwar Grewal, Kartar Cheema, Gurnam Bhullar and Sunanda Sharma.
Actor Kartar Cheema and Journalist Gurpreet Singh Niamaia also addressed the students as motivational speakers. Niamaia quoted references from Guru Granth Sahib and other religions to keep the next generation away from the menace of drugs and inspired the young generation with the Gurbani hymns.
Actor Kartar Cheema while striking the chord of the young generation with his commitment to physical exercise said that the Dopamine Harmon we get from drugs for temporary relief of mind is more harmful than we get from our routine life activities. So, we should avoid these short term joys and go for regular exercise to keep our body fit.
A Nukkad Natak 'Wapsi' written by Surinder Narula was played by Chinese Gill’s team Vatsal Chhaya. It conveyed the story of a druggy youth who came back to the mainstream after getting addicted to drugs with the sincere efforts made by his friends.
During Interactive session the queries raised by the students were regarding how to prevent and curb drug addiction, Action against the suppliers, How the security forces check on transborder supply, what action been taken against the police personnel on his involvement in the drugs, how to reach to police to give information of drug suppliers and rehabilitation of the addicted etc.
The ADGP Ropar Range Jaskaran Singh while addressing the queries one by one said that there are stringent measures to deal with the drug suppliers and their helpers including police personnel. The Punjab Police has confiscated over 100 Crore value property of the drug smugglers that was amassed with the help of drug money.
He said security forces are more active to curb transborder smuggling especially through drones. He appealed to the students to learn to say No to every bad habit, to change attitude of what to me, as the drug menace may reach their family member too if not raised voice against the bad elements at an early stage.
He urged them to be responsible citizens to save our society from the clutches of the bad elements and to inform their wrong doings to the police. SSP Dr Sandeep Garg while informing about the district helpline no. 8054100112 for giving information on drugs, said that the Punjab Government is adopting zero tolerance to drug menace.
Everyone who is found to be responsible for the spread or supply of drugs including police personnel would be taken to task and there are a lot of examples in the recent past against whom action has been taken.
Chief Judicial Magistrate and Secretary of District Legal Services Authority, Baljinder Singh Mann while addressing queries of students on how they could remain away from it, insisted upon the inculcation of the habit of reading good books.
Psychiatrist Dr Gurmukh while responding to a query said that meditation, monitoring by parents on their wards and to keep them busy with family and other constructive activities may protect our younger generation from the impact of drugs.
Singer Kanwar Grewal while addressing a query asked the students to keep a traget high to achieve it and focus on it.Gurnam Bhullar and Sunanda Sharam cautioned them of the menace of drugs by their distinctive performance and asked them to go ahead with their goals and keep away from the bad elements and habits.
MLA Derabassi Kuljit Singh Randhawa and District Planning Committee Chairperson Prabhjot Kaur reiterated the commitment of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to revive the pristine glory of Punjab by honest efforts. They applauded the initiative of District Police to make the people especially soft targets, the students aware of the menace of drugs by organising such programmes.
Three students Jagmeet Singh, Tanisha Sharma Kaushik and Nandini Rani who bagged the first three positions in the poster making competition on drug menace, also felicitated with cash prizes. SP (H) Dr Jyoti Yadav expressed a vote of thanks.
Among others, SDM Chandrajyoti Singh, SPs Akashdeep Singh Aulakh, HS Mann, Manpreet Singh, DSPs Harsimran Singh Ball, Harsimrat Singh Chhetra, Olympian Dharamvir, Narinder Chaudhary, District Education Officer Dr. Ginni Duggal, District Sports Officer Gurdeep Kaur were present.