Jalandhar, August 2026: The ‘Youth Run Punjab 2026’ organised in Jalandhar emerged as a strong symbol of Punjab’s changing youth culture, with thousands of youngsters and athletes coming together to run for a drug-free, healthy and progressive Punjab.
The marathon was organised as part of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Youth Wing’s ‘War Against Drugs’ campaign. The event delivered a message of energy, confidence and hope as Punjab’s youth chose sports, fitness and creative activities over drugs and despair.
The event also highlighted the transformation being witnessed in Punjab under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, with the state seeking to project itself as a ‘Khedta-Daurda Punjab’ — a Punjab that plays and runs — while moving beyond its earlier ‘Udta Punjab’ image.
Senior AAP leader and Punjab in-charge Manish Sisodia and Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s OSD Rajbir Singh Ghumman flagged off the marathon. Later, winners were felicitated with cash prizes of up to Rs 11,000 for their sporting achievements. Participants were also presented with T-shirts and participation medals to encourage them to embrace sports, fitness and a healthy lifestyle.
Sharing glimpses of the event on X, Manish Sisodia said the marathon was much more than a run covering a few kilometres. He described it as the voice of a Punjab moving forward by leaving behind drugs, despair and a mindset of giving up.
Sisodia said that under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s leadership, young people were increasingly choosing sports, fitness and positive activities. He said the participation of thousands of youngsters early in the morning reflected their energy, enthusiasm and determination to move in the right direction.
He congratulated the AAP Youth Wing and all participants, saying that those who once described Punjab as ‘Udta Punjab’ were now witnessing a state that was running, playing and progressing.
Deepak Bali, adviser to the Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department and Punjab AAP spokesperson, said programmes such as ‘Youth Run Punjab 2026’ play an important role in keeping young people away from drugs and negative influences and connecting them with sports, fitness and creative pursuits.
He said the Mann government was working to provide better opportunities and facilities for sports while also supporting young people through education and employment. The participation of thousands of youngsters in Jalandhar, he said, sent a clear message that Punjab’s youth were choosing sports, hard work, fitness and success over drugs.
Paraminder Singh Goldy, chairman of the Punjab Youth Development Board, said the enthusiasm displayed by participants reflected the growing determination among young people to contribute towards building a ‘Rangla Punjab’. He said the AAP Youth Wing was continuously working to mobilise youngsters and connect them with positive activities.
Goldy urged young people to make sports part of their daily routine, saying even 30 minutes to an hour of physical activity could bring a significant change in their lives and contribute to building a healthier and drug-free Punjab.
AAP Punjab media in-charge Baltej Pannu said previous governments had pushed Punjab’s youth towards drugs, while the Mann government was working to connect them with sports and education. He said the massive turnout of youngsters in Jalandhar demonstrated that Punjab was once again moving towards becoming a ‘Rangla Punjab’.
