Delayed start for anti-drugs rally as Siddaramaiah arrives late

More than 600 students and volunteers from different walks of life who participated in the ‘Say No to Drugs’ walkathon on Monday, were made to wait for over an hour as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah arrived late to flag off the event on the Vidhana Soudha premises.

With no proper place to sit and shelter to save them from the hot sun, many students were forced to sit where they were standing and use the placards for shade.

The participants included students and sportsmen from the disciplines of judo, swimming, Taekwondo, volleyball, wrestling, hockey, cycling and lawn tennis.

Civil Defence and Home Guards volunteers and students from East West College also participated in the event.

The walkathon was  followed by a daylong workshop on drug abuse, which was also delayed. The walkathon was held from Vidhana Soudha to Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association in Cubbon Park.

Siddaramaiah, along with Home Minister K J George and Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, signed on the huge canvas placed at the Vidhana Soudha, kickstarting the signature campaign­ for all dignitaries to pen their one liners against Drug Abuse.
The chief minister said, “Youth are the strength and future of the nation.

But, unfortunately they are being spoilt because of drug abuse. It is the responsibility of the nation to protect the future and show youth the right path by encouraging them to take part more in sports and other recreational activities.”