Punjab Governor Kataria starts six-day padyatra to create awareness against drug menace

Governor Gulab Chand Kataria leads foot march in Punjab to combat drug menace, urging unity in fight against drugs.

As the drug menace continues to plague Punjab, Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on Thursday (April 3, 2025) started a six-day ‘padyatra’ (foot march) to create awareness against the drug problem.

The foot march, which will be covering Gurdaspur and Amritsar districts, was kicked off from the Kartarpur Sahib corridor, Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur. The march will culminate at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar on April 8.

Addressing a gathering during the march, Mr. Kataria said Punjab, which shares an international border with Pakistan, has been facing challenges from the neighbouring country (Pakistan), which is not capable of fighting a direct war against India, and hence is fighting a proxy war by sending drugs to create problems in India. “Its nefarious designs, though, would never succeed,” he added.

Mr. Kataria said the foot march was part of the State government’s efforts in the war on drugs. During the march, the Governor interacted with residents of some villages and towns to inspire them to join the movement.

Mr. Kataria said the problem of drugs is not Punjab’s alone, instead it afflicts the entire nation, and hence, there’s a need to join hands to save our country, society and children. He said the war against drugs needs to be transformed into a people’s movement to achieve success in this mission.