: Friday, June 05, 2026 10:50 AM
Shimla . On the occasion of World Environment Day, Anti-Chitta and Clean Environment Awareness Mini Marathon was organized at the historic Ridge Ground, Shimla. Himachal Pradesh Governor Kavindra Gupta flagged off the Ridge Marathon. This program is being organized in joint collaboration with Himachal Pradesh Police, Environment, Science, Technology and Climate Change Department and Directorate of Census Operations. The main objective of the program is to make the youth and common citizens aware about the ill effects of drugs, especially Chitta and to give the message of clean environment and healthy lifestyle. A large number of police department personnel, school students, youth, senior citizens and common people reached the ridge ground to participate in the marathon. An atmosphere of enthusiasm was seen at the venue. Under the program, 10 kilometer mini marathon and 3 kilometer dream run were organized. Through the event, the message of public awareness about de-addiction, youth empowerment and environmental protection was given across the state.
Representatives of various government departments, educational institutions, voluntary organizations, women’s groups and sports organizations also participated in the program. During the event, public awareness messages, cultural presentations and programs to inspire people for a drug-free society and clean environment were also organised.
During this, Governor Kavindra Gupta said that the objective of the mini marathon is to make the youth and the general public aware about a drug-free society and a clean environment. Under the program, the message of clean, green and chitta-free Himachal Pradesh is being given to the participants. He congratulated the Environment Department along with the Police Department for successfully organizing the event. The Governor said that people from all sections of society are coming forward for the betterment of the society. This is necessary to create a better society. Along with this, he also urged the general public to participate in the self-counting.
On this occasion, Shimla Mayor Surendra Chauhan said that as per the instructions of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, events like marathon are being promoted to make the youth aware against drug addiction. He said that many youth get trapped in drug addiction due to various reasons and the society, government and families will have to make joint efforts to get them out of this quagmire. The Mayor said that thousands of school children and youth took part in the 3 kilometer and 10 kilometer races, which shows the enthusiasm of the people towards this campaign. He said that sports and physical activities create new energy, positive thinking and self-confidence in the youth, which keeps them away from evils like drug addiction.
Surendra Chauhan said that on the occasion of World Environment Day, Chinar saplings will be planted in Shimla and surrounding areas. He said that a target has been set to plant 500 saplings this year, so that people can be made aware of environmental protection and the green cover can be increased. He also expressed concern over the issue of population and said that the pace of population growth in Himachal Pradesh is much lower than other states and a declining situation is also seen in many areas. There is a need to keep family and social values strong in the society, so that balanced development of the state can be ensured. The Mayor said that increasing public participation on issues like environment protection, drug-freedom and healthy lifestyle is the need of the hour and such campaigns play an important role in bringing positive changes in the society.
School student Ansh Sharma, who came to participate in the mini marathon, said that such events inspire the youth to stay away from drugs. He said that drugs ruin not only the individual but the entire family, hence the youth should stay away from all kinds of drugs. Ansh said that along with adopting a healthy lifestyle, participating in sports and other positive activities, support from the family is also very important. He appealed to everyone to contribute in creating a drug-free society.
Sunny, a local resident of Shimla, who came to participate in the mini marathon, said that health is wealth is not just a saying but an important mantra of life. He said that in today’s time, every person should make regular running, exercise or some other physical activity a part of his daily routine. Sunny appealed to the youth to stay away from all types of drugs including Chitta and said that it is a commendable initiative by the government to link the anti-Chitta awareness campaign with marathon and environmental protection. This will increase awareness among people about health, fitness and drug-free life and will give a positive message to all sections of the society.
In the mini marathon, national Kabaddi player and DSP of Himachal Pradesh Police, Ajay Thakur gave the message to the youth to stay away from drugs and adopt sports. Ajay Thakur said that 10 kilometer and 3 kilometer races have been organized in the marathon, in which a large number of players not only from Himachal but also from other states have come to participate. It is a matter of pride for the state that Himachal is organizing such events on a large scale and more than 200 participants are taking part in this marathon.
He said that through this event, a positive message is reaching the youth that they should give up drugs and make sports a part of their lives. Ajay Thakur said that like Himachal Police, other departments should also organize such programs from time to time, so that the youth get an opportunity to showcase their talent and remain inspired to perform better. He said that in sports competitions, the winners as well as the losers are inspired to perform better in future. In the same spirit, sports and awareness programs should be organized regularly at Panchayat and district level also.
Ajay Thakur also made a special appeal to the parents. He said that drug addiction in children often starts in adolescence, so parents should pay special attention to their children. He said that parents should keep an eye on the behavior of children, their group of friends and their daily routine. Besides, one should also visit schools from time to time to get information about the activities of the children. He said that it is very important to spend time with children and talk to them openly. If parents maintain strong communication with their children, they can be saved from bad habits like drug addiction. Ajay Thakur said that it is the shared responsibility of family, society and government to create a drug-free society and sports can become the most effective medium in this direction.
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