Amid a debate over the drug menace in Bathinda following the circulation of some videos highlighting the issue, a large number of people participated in a five-km ‘Punjab Youth Run’ here on Jattvibeday, sending out a message against drugs and in favour of sports and a healthy lifestyle.The run was organised under the leadership of Bathinda Mayor Padamjeet Singh Mehta, with Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) president Amarjeet Mehta also participating.Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s OSD Rajbir Singh Ghuman, who was the chief guest, said the government was working to keep youngsters away from drugs by involving them in sports.“Those who had defamed Punjab as ‘Udta Punjab’ earlier should now see that it is ‘Khed da Punjab, Rangla Punjab, Bhajda-Daud da Punjab’,” said Ghuman.He said the participation of such a large number of people showed that youngsters wanted to choose sports, health, education and progress over drugs.The participants were given T-shirts, medals and refreshments.Ghuman said this was the third such event after Jalandhar and Mohali.