Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay flagged off the "Start Run, Stop Drugs" anti drug awareness marathon at Chennai's Marina Beach on Friday, marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. In a first for a sitting Chief Minister of the State, Vijay ran the entire 6 km route alongside participants, reinforcing the government's commitment to promoting a drug free Tamil Nadu through active public engagement.

The marathon was organised by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) and witnessed the participation of Ministers, Members of Parliament, Members of the Legislative Assembly, senior IAS and IPS officers, government officials, sportspersons, students, youth, NCC cadets, volunteers and thousands of members of the public.

Before flagging off the marathon, the Chief Minister administered an anti drug pledge, urging participants to stay away from narcotics, create awareness among family and friends about the harmful effects of drug abuse and support those working towards recovery. He also signed the campaign commitment board with the message, "Sports Edu, Drugs Vidu," encouraging young people to embrace sports as a positive way of life.

The awareness initiative formed part of a statewide campaign, with similar anti drug runs and mini marathons organised across districts in Tamil Nadu. The event highlighted the government's focus on youth empowerment, healthy living and collective efforts to eliminate substance abuse from society.

As destinations increasingly promote wellness tourism and responsible travel, initiatives that encourage healthy living and community participation align closely with the hospitality industry's vision of creating safer, healthier, and more welcoming environments for guests and local communities. The anti drug awareness marathon led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay reflects the growing emphasis on public wellness, with sports and fitness serving as powerful tools to inspire positive social change.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has clarified that an Indian passport serves as a travel document and should not be treated as a document that independently establishes citizenship.

Speaking on June 24, 2026, a senior MEA official explained that while a passport confirms a person's nationality when travelling abroad, it is not considered a citizenship document in the legal sense. The clarification came in response to questions regarding whether a passport could be used to challenge exclusion from voter lists during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls being conducted in several States.

The official stated that the primary purpose of a passport is to facilitate international travel and transit through foreign countries. As a result, it should not be equated with documents that are specifically used to establish citizenship rights.

Another senior MEA official highlighted that Indian passports are issued only after extensive verification procedures. The process involves thorough checks and relies on supporting documents provided by various government agencies, including Aadhaar and PAN records, to ensure that only eligible applicants receive passports.

The clarification was made during discussions around Passport Seva Divas, observed on June 24. On the occasion, officials also outlined the government's efforts to strengthen passport services and expand international mobility opportunities for Indian citizens.

According to the MEA, Indian passport holders currently enjoy visa-free access to 27 countries, while 47 countries offer visas on arrival and 66 countries provide e-visa facilities. Officials also revealed that around 10 percent of Indian passport holders now possess chip-enabled e-passports.

The ministry further highlighted the expansion of passport services across the country. India currently has 545 Passport Seva Kendras, with the network covering nearly every Lok Sabha constituency. In addition, support centres for distressed Indian women have been established in several Gulf countries and Singapore, with plans to expand such services to more locations.

The government is also preparing to host the Human Resource Mobility Forum in New Delhi from June 30 to July 1. The event will focus on creating secure overseas employment opportunities for Indians in countries such as Italy, Germany, Japan, Russia and Denmark, while promoting ethical migration practices and raising awareness about fraudulent recruitment channels.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, marking Passport Seva Divas, reaffirmed the government's commitment to making passport services faster, more transparent and more accessible. He noted that the expansion of Passport Seva Kendras and the rollout of e-passports have helped simplify travel and improve access to global opportunities for Indian citizens.

The clarification has also renewed public discussions around citizenship documentation. With different government-issued documents serving different legal and administrative purposes, many citizens continue to seek clearer and more accessible guidance on what constitutes valid proof of citizenship in various situations.

Haldiram’s has launched a teaser-led outdoor campaign across Lucknow and Gorakhpur, capturing public attention with a simple yet intriguing message: “Acche Din Aane Wale Hain!”

The campaign features bright red billboards with minimal design elements and bold white lettering, deliberately avoiding product visuals, detailed messaging, or conventional advertising cues. The stripped-down creative approach has sparked curiosity among commuters and social media users, prompting widespread speculation about the campaign’s purpose.

Positioned at prominent locations across both cities, the billboards have quickly become conversation starters. With no immediate explanation offered by the brand, audiences have been left wondering whether the campaign signals a product launch, a new initiative, or something entirely unexpected.

The activation forms part of Haldiram’s two-city teaser campaign strategy, designed to encourage public engagement before the full reveal. By focusing solely on a familiar phrase and a striking visual identity, the brand has chosen to let curiosity drive attention rather than relying on traditional advertising formats.

According to Haldiram’s, the campaign intentionally avoids detailed storytelling in its first phase. Instead, it aims to create intrigue and invite audiences to interpret the message in their own way.

Commenting on the initiative, Rajiv Singh, Head of Growth and Marketing for Haldiram’s QSR chain, said that impactful campaigns are often built around powerful questions rather than immediate answers. He noted that the teaser encourages consumers to engage with the message and generate conversations ahead of the campaign’s next phase.

The campaign has already gained traction online, with residents sharing images of the billboards and discussing possible meanings behind the message. The absence of product imagery and conventional branding elements has further amplified public interest.

At a time when advertising is often dominated by complex visuals and extensive messaging, Haldiram’s has opted for a minimalist approach that relies on simplicity and intrigue. The result has been a campaign that stands out through what it leaves unsaid rather than what it communicates directly.

For now, the brand remains tight-lipped about what the message ultimately refers to. As speculation continues across Lucknow and Gorakhpur, the question remains: what exactly are these “Acche Din” that Haldiram’s is promising?