Haryana CM Saini flags off anti-drug marathon on PM Modi's 76th birthday
Synopsis
Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini turned PM Modi's 76th birthday into an anti-drug statement, flagging off a mass marathon in Ambala and launching the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan. The move signals the state's push to frame its drug-control drive as a youth-led movement, backed by a four-pillar strategy spanning enforcement, awareness, treatment, and rehabilitation.
Key Takeaways
Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini flagged off the Nasha Mukt Haryana Namo Marathon in Ambala on 17 September 2026 .
The event marked PM Narendra Modi's 76th birthday , with the nationwide Seva Sankalp Abhiyan launched to mark the occasion.
Thousands of young participants joined the anti-drug marathon in Ambala city.
Haryana's anti-drug strategy rests on four pillars: enforcement , awareness , treatment , and rehabilitation .
Saini said the campaign would evolve into a statewide public awareness drive against drug abuse.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on 17 September 2026 flagged off the Nasha Mukt Haryana Namo Marathon in Ambala, marking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 76th birthday with a public campaign against drug abuse. Saini extended birthday greetings to the Prime Minister, saying Modi has consistently placed his faith in India's youth as the bedrock of a developed nation.
Marathon and Its Message
Thousands of young participants joined the run in Ambala city, which Saini described as a visible declaration of the region's resolve to combat the drug menace. 'The enthusiasm of thousands of young people is proof that Ambala has resolved to wage a decisive battle against drugs,' he said, addressing the assembled runners.
The Chief Minister said the marathon was more than a symbolic gesture — it was the opening salvo of a sustained public awareness campaign whose impact, he argued, would ripple across the entire state of Haryana.
Seva Sankalp Abhiyan Launched Nationwide
Saini announced that the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, a nationwide initiative, is being launched to celebrate Modi's birthday. He framed the occasion as a call for collective civic responsibility, stating that the core spirit of the campaign was that citizens should 'not live only for themselves but also contribute to society and the nation.'
Saini credited Modi's leadership with creating pathways for young Indians to realise their ambitions. 'Under his able leadership, today's India is providing its youth opportunities to dream and turn those dreams into reality,' he said.
State's Four-Pillar Anti-Drug Strategy
The Chief Minister outlined the Haryana government's four-pronged approach to tackling drug abuse: enforcement action, awareness, treatment, and rehabilitation. He said the government views the drug crisis through the lens of family suffering and the lost potential of the state's youth.
'Our government has viewed drug abuse in the context of the pain of Haryana's families and the future of its youth,' Saini said, signalling that the administration intends to treat addiction as a social and public health issue alongside a law enforcement one.
Broader Context
Haryana has faced persistent concerns over drug abuse, particularly among young men in rural districts. The state government's multi-level strategy — combining policing with community outreach and medical support — mirrors approaches adopted in Punjab and other northern states grappling with similar challenges. The Namo Marathon format, tied to Modi's birthday celebrations, also reflects the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government's practice of linking civic campaigns to nationally significant dates to maximise outreach and participation.
With the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan now formally under way, state administrations across BJP-governed states are expected to roll out parallel community service drives in the coming days.
Point of View
But attaching it to birthday celebrations risks reducing a serious public health challenge to a photo opportunity. The four-pillar strategy Saini outlined is structurally sound, but Haryana, like Punjab, has announced similar frameworks before without decisive movement on rehabilitation infrastructure. The Seva Sankalp Abhiyan's impact will depend on whether the awareness drive is backed by measurable commitments on treatment centres and de-addiction funding — details that were absent from today's announcement.
NationPress
17 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Nasha Mukt Haryana Namo Marathon?
It is an anti-drug awareness marathon held in Ambala, Haryana, on 17 September 2026, coinciding with PM Narendra Modi's 76th birthday. The event was flagged off by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and drew thousands of young participants as part of a statewide campaign against drug abuse.
What is the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan launched by Haryana?
The Seva Sankalp Abhiyan is a nationwide initiative launched to mark PM Modi's 76th birthday, promoting community service and civic responsibility. CM Saini described its core spirit as encouraging citizens to contribute to society and the nation beyond personal interests.
What is Haryana's four-pillar anti-drug strategy?
Haryana's strategy against drug abuse operates on four levels: enforcement action against drug supply, public awareness campaigns, medical treatment for those affected, and rehabilitation support. CM Saini outlined this approach while addressing marathon participants in Ambala.
Why did CM Saini hold the marathon in Ambala?
Ambala was chosen as the venue to demonstrate local youth resolve against drug abuse. Saini said the enthusiasm of thousands of young participants was proof that Ambala had committed to fighting the drug menace, and that the event would serve as a model for a broader statewide awareness campaign.
What did CM Saini say about PM Modi and India's youth?
Saini said PM Modi has always placed his trust in the country's youth, believing their energy, talent, and innovation are the strongest foundation for building a developed India. He added that under Modi's leadership, India was providing young people opportunities to realise their aspirations.
