On December 11, 2024, the ‘People’s Walk Against Drugs’ was organized in Jalandhar, Punjab aimed at raising awareness about drug addiction. Organized by social activist, former information commissioner, and author Shri Khushwant Singh in collaboration with the Indian Red Cross Society, the initiative saw the enthusiastic participation of over 500 individuals including representatives from schools, the National Cadet Corps (NCC), the Red Cross Society, and the interfaith forum. The event was graced by the presence of the Honourable Governor of Punjab Shri Gulab Chand Kataria.
The 14 km long walk concluded at the iconic Jang-e-Azadi Memorial. It brought together diverse sections of society to emphasize the collective responsibility of addressing the growing menace of substance abuse. Governor Kataria’s presence at the event underscored his commitment to fostering a healthier and addiction-free Punjab through community-driven efforts.
Mrs. Arti Thapa, representing the Bahá’í community at the event, spoke about the broader implications of addressing the problem of addiction, stating, “The problem of addiction is part of a larger crisis facing youth in India, with the dilution of moral values in a world that is fast changing. The Bahá’ís, along with other faith communities, joined this march to create awareness of how spiritual education and a sense of service are needed to address this issue.”
Governor Kataria, in his address, praised the interfaith forum’s active participation and stressed the importance of uniting faith communities to address pressing social challenges. He expressed his eagerness to collaborate further with the interfaith group and proposed organizing a similar program in Chandigarh to expand the impact of such awareness campaigns.
