CM C Joseph Vijay Runs 6 Km Anti-Drug Marathon With Youth At Marina Beach

On Friday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay flagged off and ran a six-kilometer anti-drug awareness marathon alongside thousands of participants at Marina Beach in Chennai. The "Start Run, Stop Drugs" event, organized by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), marked the first time a sitting Chief Minister of the state has completed a full six-kilometer run with the public for a social cause.

The 52-year-old Chief Minister, who is also the founder of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party, wore athletic gear and completed the entire course continuously. While former chief ministers have been known for maintaining fitness through yoga, walking, or gym workouts, officials noted that this was an unprecedented participation by a sitting Chief Minister in a public run.

Before joining the run, Vijay administered a pledge to the participants, who were mostly students and youth. The participants took an oath to abstain from drugs, educate their friends and family about the dangers of substance abuse, and support government initiatives to eradicate drugs in Tamil Nadu.

Vijay also signed a commitment board with the message "Sports edu, drugs vidu" (Take up sports, give up drugs). Immediately after administering the pledge, he stepped down from the stage to join the runners, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.

The initiative received praise across political lines. Former Governor and BJP leader Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan commended the Chief Minister's participation on social media, stating that the fight against drugs goes beyond politics and that leaders running alongside the public helps spread awareness to every home.

Similar anti-drug runs and mini-marathons were also held in several other districts across Tamil Nadu on Friday to promote healthy lifestyles and raise awareness against drug abuse.