More Punjabi actors, singers unite against drugs

After Harbhajan Mann, Jasbir Jassi, Jaswinder Bhalla and Binnu Dhillon, more artists in Punjab are attempting to take the state out of drugs through innovative campaigns. Now, reformed drug addict Mintu Gurusaria too has launched a crusade against drugs. After Punjab CM flagged-off an anti-drug drive in Chandigarh Sector 17 recently, sports minister Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi spoke about involving sportspersons and coaches in the drive. “Through sports activities, the energy of youth will be channelized in positive direction,” he added. The campaign is expected to involve five lakh students from various colleges across Punjab (from 22 districts) in two months. SONU SOOD ON A MULTI-CITY TOURSonu Sood, who belongs to Moga, and had met Capt Amarinder Singh recently, is initiating a state-wide drive against drugs. “My anti-drug campaign will focus on changing people’s perception about life,” said Sonu adding that he will go on a mission to make Punjab a drug free state.PEDALLING FOR A DRUG-FREE PUNJABSpine-chilling videos of drug abuse in Punjab moved singer Galav Waraich, 34 (Kurta Pajama fame) to take on the fight against drugs. Cycling solo, the singer started from his village in Patran (in Patiala district) and covered about 1000 kms. “I was shocked to see videos of people dying due to drugs. So, I decided to undertake a bicycle tour to educate people,” said Galav, who now plans another tour to initiate ‘save tree’ movement. “From July 12 till July 19, I was on the roads of Punjab. I went to Sangrur, Amritsar, Malerkotla, Dhuri etc, spreading ‘no drugs’ message. The idea behind a bicycle tour was to highlight sports, borrowing from neighbouring Haryana’s medal-winning brigade. During the drive, I sang a special song, telling them, ‘Jeevan safal banao. Par yeh tabhi kar sakte ho agar jeevan hoga’. Merey hasney ka, stage par perform karne ka kya matlab jab sab log mar rahe hain.” He also blamed government for not showing seriousness. “The officers get into blame game, even the politicians give lame excuses. Why can’t they simply encourage people to take to sports, give them prizes, jobs and keep them occupied?”STAGING THE FIGHTActor Vindu Dara Singh is doing a play titled, Gabru Kabhi Marta Nahi, to show the condition of current Punjab, reeling under drug abuse. He is also working on a comic book series on drugs for youngsters. “The play will be staged across Punjab, particularly the worst-hit areas,” said Vindu, adding, “It will start from Punjab, and from there it will talk about the problem of drugs. It will be a motivational play.” The play will feature Sheeba, Rajesh Puri, Payal Goga Kapoor, Akashdeep Sehgal, Surleen Kaur and Lakhbir Lehri. Vindhu also plans to cover topic of drugs in a biopic on his father, wrestler Dara Singh. “His (Dara Singh’s) Punjab was about doodh, dahi, lassi and ghee, not of drugs.” KANTH KALER AND ASHOK MASTIE’S MISSIONWhile singer Ashok Mastie will start a door-to-door campaign from his hometown, Gidderbaha along with visiting de-addiction centres, Kanth Kaler is looking to initiate a large-scale campaign through his songs. REFORMED DRUG ADDICT ON PATH TO REDEMPTIONFomer kabaddi player Mintu Gurusaria, who was a drug addict for 18 years, joined a campaign, Chitte De Virodh Wich Kala Hafta – Maro Ja Virodh Karo, along with Baltej Pannu, theatre activist and writer Pali Bhupinder, and advocate Hakam Singh. Mintu, whose biography Daakuan Da Munda, will be adapted into a film, said, “Three generations of my family have suffered. We need to have more gali, mohalla level campaigns.”