— UPDATED —
Participate in the “Walk for a Drug-Free Chandigarh” initiative, scheduled for May 3, 2025.
Chandigarh, May 1, 2025 — The Chandigarh Administration has identified drug abuse as a growing concern in the city’s society, which carries significant social, economic, and health implications. Young people are particularly susceptible to drug use due to factors such as peer pressure, stress, and curiosity. This issue can lead to a loss of potential, increased school dropouts, and increased criminal activity.
To address the issue of drug abuse, the “Walk for a Drug-Free Chandigarh” is scheduled for May 3, 2025, at Tiranga Park, Sector 17, Chandigarh. This event aims to raise awareness among the youth about the harmful effects of drug abuse and to strive for Chandigarh to become India’s first drug-free city. Gulab Chand Kataria, the Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh, will lead the walk. The Chandigarh Administration has sent invitations to several dignitaries, including the Governor of Haryana, the Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, and the Chief Ministers of Punjab and Haryana. Additionally, invitations were extended to Members of Parliament from the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, along with senior officials from both states.
The Education Department of the UT Chandigarh Administration is scheduled to organize various activities in all schools throughout Chandigarh. Approximately 2,500 school students will participate in a march from GMSSS in Sectors 16, 18, 22, and 23, culminating at Tiranga Urban Park in Sector 17. Furthermore, around 1,500 National Service Scheme (NSS) students from universities and colleges will join the march from designated locations. An additional 500 students will convene at the Chandigarh Secretariat in Sector 9. Moreover, 100 to 150 students from various government and private institutions will conduct rallies in their respective areas within a radius of 1 to 1.5 kilometers from their institutions, prominently displaying placards featuring anti-drug messages.
More than 5,500 participants, including University, College, and School students, NSS volunteers, ex-servicemen, RWA members from all sectors, employees, and officers of various departments of Chandigarh Administration will gather at eight designated locations in Chandigarh and march towards Tiranga Urban Park, Sector 17, Chandigarh.
The “VADA” (Victory Against Drug Abuse) campaign was launched on April 26, 2025, at PM SHRI GMSSS in Dhanas. The schools designated a tree as the ‘Tree of Life.’ Students and teachers have written their wishes for the eradication of drug abuse from society and hung them on the tree. Various schools in the city host essay, slogan, and poster competitions as part of the campaign.
Students from various institutions will watch a live webcast of the main event organized at Tiranga Urban Park. The event will also be screened at schools, colleges, Sukhna Lake, and Plaza in Sector 17, Chandigarh, allowing more people to participate in this important initiative. The program will be accessible to over 150,000 people across the city via virtual means.
The captivating performance of the Military Band promises to be a highlight of the event, featuring a diverse array of stirring music and precision marching that will engage and entertain the audience.
Source: Chandigarh Administration
UPDATE — May 03, 2025
The Vice-Chancellor leads the Panjab University contingent on the “Nashe Se Door, Jiyo Bharpur” Chandigarh walk.
As part of the city-wide campaign “Nashe Se Door, Jiyo Bharpur,” the Vice Chancellor of Panjab University (PU) led a padayatra this morning to raise awareness about drug abuse.
Over 200 university students participated in the walk, accompanied by the Deans of Student Welfare (DSWs), several hostel wardens, and university officials.
The march began at 6:00 AM at Government Model School, Sector 16, Chandigarh, and concluded at Tiranga Ground, Sector 17, where Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Shri Gulab Chand Kataria addressed the participants.
Source: Panjab University Chandigarh
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