Ludhiana: Claiming to take his govt’s decisive ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ to thenext level, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday launchedthe ‘Soorma’ (Warrior) campaign and honoured “recovered youth” withspecially crafted ‘Soorma’ rings and T-shirts. Declaring it as the nextphase of the state’s anti-drug movement, the Chief minister said theinitiative aims to transform recovered drug victims into Ambassadors ofHope who will lead the fight against addiction at the grassroots.Felicitating individuals who have remained “drug-free” for over two years,he announced that they will not only inspire others to overcome addictionbut will also be provided employment opportunities by the state govt.Addressing the gathering here, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated that the youthpresent at the event took a historic step by overcoming addiction afterlosing everything to drugs. He said that today they were being honouredbecause they displayed extraordinary courage in defeating addiction,despite the social stigma attached to it.The Chief minister said, “These youth have overcome the illness ofaddiction and can now help others by sharing their own experiences.”The Chief minister said that the function was organised to honourindividuals who have successfully overcome drug addiction and maintainedsobriety for more than two years. “These exemplary individuals are true‘Soormas’ because they represent resilience, courage and victory overaddiction. Today’s event marks another important chapter in Punjab’songoing fight against drug abuse,” he said.CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these Soormas would now work alongside thegovt as Ambassadors of Recovery, motivating countless others to overcomeaddiction and rebuild their lives.The Chief minister said that these Soormas are living proof that timelyintervention can rebuild lives that otherwise could have been lost todrugs. “The recovered individuals were honoured with specially carvedPromise Rings and uniforms carrying the symbol of the Baaj, representingcourage, strength and Punjabiyat in the mission for a drug-free Punjab,” headded.The Chief minister assured every Soorma of the govt’s full support andcooperation, saying that they would now become ambassadors of hope byhelping others overcome addiction.CM Bhagwant Singh Mann also reiterated that while the govt would takestringent action against those harming Punjab through drugs, it wouldcontinue extending unwavering support to every individual seeking help.“This is the very essence of Yudh Nashean Virudh Phase II,” he added.The Chief minister also launched an “inspiring anthem” dedicated to everyindividual fighting addiction and announced that the Soorma Programme wouldnow reach every district and village across Punjab.He said that individuals who have successfully completed de-addictiontreatment and maintained abstinence for at least two years can registerthemselves for the programme by sending the message “Soorma” on WhatsApp to9779142200.Cabinet minister Dr. Balbir Singh was among other prominent persons presenton the occasion.On this occasion, one of the “Soorma”, Manpreet Singh of Dhanaula inBarnala, said that he started taking drugs in 2007 and would take medicaldrugs. He added that after that he would take Chitta (Heroin) sometimes,and he wasted around a crore rupees on drugs.Singh said that he would go to even Delhi to get drugs after it stopped inPunjab. He added that he wanted to leave drugs and found strength fromreligion to give it up.Another “warrior”, Amarjit Singh of Mohali, said that he works ascouncillor now and tries to bring out youths from drugs. He added that hetook drugs in 2014-15 and wasted many years, but in 2020-21 he gave updrugs.Amarjit Singh said that life is very good now and they inspire youths tocome out of it. He added that there is nothing to be gained from this trapof drug addiction except death, jail and pain.Addressing the gathering, Chief minister narrated about a youth from theJalandhar side who told him tha he had became so stone-hearted that afterhis father died, while his whole family was crying, he stole money from thepocket of his dead body and bought drugs with it. He added the youth toldhim that later, he realised how far he had gone down the wrong path and nowhe has returned.CM shared that the youth told him that he has bought back one acre of landand will become owner of whole three acres of land that he sold due todrugs problem.As per CM, by July 15, 3,100 new sports grounds and 3,000 gyms willbe ready for the youth across Punjab. “Today, Punjab ranks No. 1 in thecountry in education, and 47 lakh families have already received Rs.10 lakhMukh Mantri Sehat Insurance Cards for free medical treatment” he added.
