Punjab Governor Kataria Launches Anti-Drug Push at Sukhna Lake

Kataria framed the fight against drug abuse as a moral imperative, directly linking the state's historical legacy of sacrifice to its current struggle with illicit cross-border trade. He suggested that the persistent flow of narcotics from across the Pakistani border is facilitated by internal actors, describing the pursuit of drug-related profit as a fundamental weakness that threatens the future of Punjab's youth.

The event served as a platform to promote wellness, featuring the felicitation of elite athletes who have recently brought international recognition to Chandigarh. Among those honored were Asian Boxing Championships silver medallist Gurseerat Kaur, Commonwealth Fencing Championships gold medallist Yashkirat Kaur Hayer, ISSF World Cup silver medallist Sainyam Vij, and Asian Junior Judo bronze medallist Angel Yadav. These athletes used the occasion to advocate for healthy lifestyles and warn against the long-term dangers of doping, with Hayer specifically emphasizing the necessity of consistency and discipline in professional sports ahead of her upcoming competition at the Asian Games in Japan.