CYCLE RALLY HELD AGAINST DRUG ABUSE

Panaji, June 26: Say 'No' to drugs and live a healthy and happy life
was the message carried by the volunteers of the home guards and civil
defence organisation during the Cycle rally from Police Headquarters,
Panaji to Calangute beach and back to commemorate the "International
Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking" on Monday.The rally
which was organised by the home guard and civil defence organisations
this year as well as for the past three years, was flagged off from
the Police Headquarters by the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mr
N S Randhawa, deputy commandant general of home guards and deputy
director civil defence, Mr Sharad Agarwal, junior staff officer, civil
defence and district commandant home guards, Mr Umesh Gaonkar, deputy
controller, Mr Francisco Telles, police medical officer, Dr Kalpana
Mahatme, civil defence medical officer, Dr Paresh Lawande, civil
defence instructor, Mr C K Rane and company commander of home guards,
Mr John Aguiar.

Around 60 home guards and civil defence volunteers participated in the
rally. The participants carried flags, leaflets and posters spreading
the message against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

Prominent among those participated in the rally included corporator of
the CCP, Mr Avinash Bhonsle, platoon commanders, Mr Suresh Patekar and
Mr Ashok Mangueshkar among others.

At Calangute the rally was received by Mr Shripad Y Naik, MP who
appreciated the efforts of the home guards and civil defence
volunteers. He said that not only the youngsters should be educated
against the use drugs but parents should also keep a watch on their
children and study their behaviour. Drugs he said, are deadlier than
the poison resulting in painful death.

At Calangute, the volunteers performed a street play on the ill
effects of drug abuse.

Earlier the deputy superintendent of police and JOSOCD/DCHG, Mr Umesh
Gaonkar welcomed the guests. SP, anti-narcotic cell, Mr Vishram Borkar
also spoke. Police Medical Officer Dr. Kalpana Mahatme proposed a vote
of thanks.