Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday, 27 June launched the 'Soorma' (warrior) campaign in Ludhiana, honouring drug-rehabilitated individuals with specially crafted Soorma rings and T-shirts and declaring them 'Ambassadors of Hope' in the state's ongoing anti-drug movement. The initiative marks the next phase of Punjab's push to eliminate addiction at the grassroots level.

What the Soorma Campaign Entails

The campaign felicitates individuals who have remained drug-free for over two years, recognising their resolve in the face of deep social stigma. Beyond symbolic recognition, Chief Minister Mann announced that these recovered individuals will be provided with employment opportunities by the state government, positioning rehabilitation as a bridge to economic reintegration.

'There is a huge social stigma associated with drug addiction. Once people come to know that someone is addicted to drugs, they even stop talking to that person. These young people have gone through that pain and trauma, but today they are ready for a new beginning and are prepared to serve society,' Mann said at the event.

Sports Infrastructure as Anti-Drug Strategy

Reiterating his government's belief that sports are among the most effective tools against the drug menace, Mann announced that by 15 July, approximately 3,100 village sports grounds and 3,000 gyms will become operational across Punjab. The infrastructure push is designed to channel the energy of youth away from addiction and toward physical activity and competitive sport.

This comes amid a sustained state-level effort that also includes world-class rehabilitation centres being established across Punjab, equipped with modern medical and counselling facilities.

Rehabilitated Youth as Community Leaders

Mann framed the Soorma awardees not merely as survivors but as assets to society. 'These youth have overcome the illness of addiction and can now help others by sharing their own experiences,' he said. By converting recovered individuals into grassroots advocates, the government is betting on peer-led outreach as a force multiplier for its anti-drug messaging.

Notably, the campaign draws on the cultural weight of the word 'Soorma' — a Punjabi term for a warrior or hero — to reframe the public identity of those who have battled addiction, countering the stigma that has historically silenced them.

Broader Governance Context

Mann used the occasion to highlight parallel achievements across sectors. He stated that Punjab has emerged as the number one state in education with a score of 27, surpassing Kerala and several other states, attributing this to improvements in government school quality. He argued that education, alongside healthcare, sports infrastructure, and rehabilitation, forms the foundation of what his government calls a 'Rangla Punjab' — a prosperous and vibrant Punjab.

'Cards or freebies alone cannot eliminate poverty, but education certainly has the power to do so,' he added, signalling a shift in the government's welfare framing toward long-term human capital investment.

With the Soorma campaign now active and sports infrastructure set to scale before mid-July, the state's next challenge will be sustaining momentum — and measuring whether peer-led advocacy translates into measurable declines in new addiction cases.