States » NorthPosted at: Oct 2 2026 8:17PM


Uttarakhand CM Dhami takes guard in Panchkula: Two sixes-worthy shots, one powerful message against drugs

Kamlesh Kali
Panchkula, Oct 2 (UNI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami turned from statesman to batsman at Tau Devi Lal Stadium on Friday, striking two confident shots that brought the crowd to its feet at the ongoing Namo Cricket League, before leading thousands in a pledge against drugs.
Welcoming the Uttarakhand CM, Tarun Bhandari, Political Secretary to the Haryana Chief Minister, presented him with the traditional Haryanvi turban, a symbol of the state's pride.
Dhami met the players, encouraged them, and then picked up the bat. With Bhandari bowling, he played two crisp shots that drew warm applause.
From the league's stage, Dhami administered an anti-drug pledge and urged young people to channel their energy into sports and nation-building.
Sports, he said, are no longer mere entertainment but a vehicle for discipline, employment, health and national pride.
He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's sustained push to expand sporting infrastructure for the rise of athletes from small villages who are now winning medals nationally and internationally.
"When our athletes win medals, the Tricolour flies and the national anthem plays, every countryman's chest swells with pride," he said, adding that it is a collective duty to ensure youth energy goes into building the nation, not into addiction.
Appealing to the youth from Panchkula, Dhami said: "If you want an addiction, make it sports. If you want to dream big, dream of making India a powerful nation."
He warned that drugs hollow out a life like termites, destroy families and shatter dreams, while sports give life a new direction. He urged young people to write their own destiny, refuse to promote drugs, and inspire those around them to stay away.
"If one youth is saved from drugs, a family is saved. If a family is saved, society grows stronger, and a strong society makes a strong nation," he said.
He then led the gathering in the pledge "Nashe ko Naa, Khel ko Haan" (No to drugs, yes to sports).
Among those present were Sanjeev Sood, Mukesh Singla, Vinay Dhir, Kapil Gaur, Rakesh Garg Bittu, Deepak Garg, Anuradha Puri, Manisha Jangra, Naresh Sanwariya, Manveer Gill, Bobby Singh and Sandeep Kapoor, along with members of the organising committee.
UNI KK RN
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