In a major push to make Punjab drug-free, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday laid the foundation for playgrounds in 3,100 villages across the state. The AAP Chief said that while governments over the past 75 years built grand stadiums in cities, none ever cared to build playgrounds for village youth. “The AAP government will not only build sports grounds but also provide equipment — from these very fields will rise the future captains of India’s national teams,” he declared.
Calling sports, employment, and the war against drugs the three pillars of a “happy and vibrant Punjab,” Arvind Kejriwal said his government’s fight against drug traffickers will continue relentlessly until every village is free from addiction. On the occasion senior AAP leader and Punjab Prabhari Manish Sisodia, Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sondh, senior and others leaders were also present.
AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday called it a historic day not just for Punjab, but for the entire country “In the 75 years since Independence, no government — whether BJP, Congress, or Akali Dal — ever looked towards the villages. Stadiums have been built in cities, cricket stadiums have been built, but no government ever built playgrounds for the youth in villages,” he said.
The AAP Chief revealed that 3100 villages across Punjab will soon have modern, fully equipped sports grounds with facilities for volleyball, football, hockey, and athletics. “Each village will also have its own field for local sports. The government will provide all necessary sports equipment — from nets to hockey sticks to volleyballs — absolutely free,” he added.
Arvind Kejriwal emphasized that the construction and maintenance of these fields will be the collective responsibility of the village youth clubs. “Youth clubs must ensure that grounds are well built and well maintained. They must protect all sports equipment provided by the government and ensure that every child in the village participates. The whole village must play together,” he said.
Battle Against Drugs: “No One Who Sells Drugs Will Be Spared”
Highlighting the AAP government’s uncompromising campaign against drugs, the AAP Supremo said, “For decades, old governments brought drugs to every home in Punjab. They destroyed the youth. But in the last 8–10 months, our government has waged a war against drugs. Big smugglers are being caught and jailed, their properties bulldozed, and kilos of heroin, cocaine, chitta worth crores are being seized, and even encounters are happening. The country has never witnessed such a large scale war against drugs. Many big leaders from these parties used to sell drugs and built lavish mansions for themselves.”
He added that a major political leader, who was long believed to be untouchable, is now behind bars. “People said no one would dare jail him. But they didn’t know this is Bhagwant Mann’s government — an AAP government. Whoever sells drugs in Punjab will not be spared.”
The AAP Head Kejriwal asserted that these parties of being complicit in Punjab’s drug crisis. “These parties are all in it together. They all joined hands with the same man who sold chitta in Punjab. None of them care about you or Punjab,” he said.
Arvind Kejriwal shared that rehabilitation centers across Punjab have been modernized and reformed. “Earlier, conditions in de-addiction centers were terrible. People were mistreated. Now, the centers are reformed, and youth are coming willingly. They return drug-free and full of hope.”
He added that the government’s focus is not only on de-addiction but also on providing purpose and opportunity to those who recover. “When they return, they must have something to do. That’s why we’re creating two big opportunities for Punjab’s youth — sports and livelihood,” he said
Two Major Announcements for Punjab’s Youth
Arvind Kejriwal declared, “Today, two historic announcements are being made for Punjab’s children and youth. First, playgrounds will be built in 3100 villages across Punjab under the campaign ‘Nasha Chhodo, Khelo, Sehat Banao, Khush Raho’ (Quit drugs, play sports, build health, live happily). “Those leaving drugs will play, and others will play too. No need for drugs anymore — build health and make Punjab prosper. All four national teams — the women’s cricket team, men’s cricket team, football team, and hockey team — are captained by Punjabis. This is a matter of immense pride for Punjab,” he added.
The AAP Chief further added, “I believe that in the coming years — five or ten years from now — the future captains of India’s cricket, hockey, and football teams will emerge from among you. The very playgrounds we are building today will produce the next captains of these national teams. Play with passion, build your health, and make the nation proud.”
Creating Employment and Economic Opportunities
Applauding the efforts of the Punjab government, Kejriwal said, “Bhagwant Mann has given 55,000 government jobs in record time. No Congress, Akali Dal, or BJP government has ever done that. These jobs are given purely on merit — without money, without recommendation, without political influence.”
He added, “Ask anyone in your village — someone or the other must have got a government job. Did anyone have to pay? Did anyone need to go to an MLA or minister? No. Whoever deserves it on merit is getting it.”
Arvind Kejriwal further announced that private industry is now flocking to Punjab, setting up new ventures and promising over 4 lakh private sector jobs for the youth.
A Vision for a Stronger, Rangla Punjab
Arvind Kejriwal announced a revolutionary entrepreneurship program for college students that will start this afternoon in Mohali. “All students who have passed Class 12 and are studying in colleges will now be taught to do business while studying. They’ll learn business and start running one from within the college. When you graduate, you won’t be job seekers — you’ll be job givers.”
“Every student who graduates will go on to employ 10, 20, even 25 people. That is how a prosperous and ‘Rangla Punjab’ will be built,” he said proudly.
Concluding his address, Arvind Kejriwal said, “Today is a golden day for Punjab’s children and youth. On one hand, we’re fighting drugs and creating avenues for sports. On the other, we’re generating jobs and business opportunities. Stay happy, keep blessing us, and may Waheguru bring prosperity to every home.”
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Earlier, the basic infrastructure in sports fields was inadequate, but now modern playgrounds will be made. Punjab has made a major contribution in the field of sports, and whenever the country’s flag is hoisted in international events, it is a matter of pride for everyone. It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that four national teams are captained by Punjabis — including Harmanpreet Kaur, Shubman Gill, and Harmanpreet Singh.”
The Punjab CM said, “Today, nine Punjabi players are members of the national hockey team, which reflects how the state is excelling in the arena of sports. The state government has created massive sporting infrastructure in Punjab, owing to which three generations of the same family are now seen playing sports in Kheda Watan Punjab Dian. The state government gives ₹1 crore to gold medal winners, ₹75 lakh to silver medal winners, and ₹50 lakh to bronze medal winners in international games.”
“The motive is to encourage players,” he said, adding, “Now, players are given rewards immediately. Each Punjabi player in the Indian hockey team was awarded ₹1 crore for winning medals so that other youth can be inspired to fulfil their dreams of winning for the country. For the first time, cash rewards are being given promptly — unlike earlier times, when athletes had to wait a long time for the money.”
Slamming the Badal family, the CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “They enjoyed power for a long time, and during their misrule, they squandered public money on film stars. Earlier, sports ministers had no understanding of sports, and political leaders controlled sports associations to enjoy luxuries at government expense. Our government has appointed 300 coaches, and players preparing for international competitions are given ₹8 lakh each.”
“There is no lack of talent among our children,” said Bhagwant Singh Mann. “The state government is nurturing them to produce ace players in the future. Sports will also save children from the curse of drugs by channelising their energy in a positive direction. We will adopt no leniency towards the ‘Jarnails’ who were the perpetrators behind the genocide of youth through the curse of drugs.”
“The ‘Jarnails’ who patronised the drug trade have already been put behind bars,” he said. “These leaders not only patronised the drug trade across the state, but ironically, they even sold or supplied drugs in their official government vehicles. In the past, no one had dared to arrest these affluent leaders, but now our government has done so — and they will have to pay the price for their sins. When this Akali leader was arrested, the unholy nexus between political parties was exposed as they cried about human rights violations and demanded special cells and facilities for the accused.”
“The best solution to the war against drugs is sports,” said the Punjab CM. “Our land is blessed as it produces ace sportsmen. Whichever sport thrives in a particular region, we will provide coaches and facilities there. Experts will be appointed in every field. The state government is making concerted efforts to ensure the development of Punjab in every sector.”
