post news network, Bhubaneswar, June 26: A marathon was organised in the city Friday to create awareness against the harmful effects of consumption of drugs on the occasion of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking by a Delhi-based Oriya organisation, Orissa Pride.
The marathon saw many people gathering in the Kalinga Stadium around 8 am and later the participants went around the city to create awareness among the citizens. The marathon that started from Kalinga Stadium passed through Unit 4 square, NICCO park area, Red Cross Square, Acharya Vihar Square and returned to the stadium.
Many people participated in the event to mark the day. Noted athlete Arunradha Biswal, Shradhanjali Samatray, former Indian women’s football team captain and Manas Das, president of the organisation took part in the marathon.
Manas, while flagging of the marathon said, “Our main aim is to encourage and inspire youths on the occasion of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, so that they stay away from drugs and actively engage in activities aimed at social development, since they are the important assets of the society.”
The Hope Foundation Orissa and the Regional Research Training Centre also jointly organised a rally on the day to mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking and create awareness among the people about the harmful effects of drug abuse.
Vikas Rout, president of the foundation said, “In order to create awareness on the topic, we organised the programme. Our awareness rally was held in the morning in which around 100 people participated. During the evening we organised a seminar in which a number of people from different sections of the society took part to promote the cause.”
