Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the ‘Laharikethire Lakshadeepam’ anti-drug campaign in Kochi, jointly organised by Malayala Manorama’s ‘Nalla Paadam’ and Muthoot Finance. The campaign aims to light a million lamps against drugs, with the goal of creating a physically and mentally healthy generation. CM Pinarayi Vijayan urged the student community to act as flag-bearers in the all-out effort against social evils like drug abuse.
The students assembled at the Durbar Hall Ground, where the dignitaries, including the CM, Minister M B Rajesh, and actor Mammootty, lit lamps made out of coconut palm leaves. The students also lit candles, pledging to be part of the fight against drugs. The campaign also involved the launch of an extensive anti-drug campaign, with the students repeating the pledge after Minister Rajesh.
Malayala Manorama has always played a lead role in implementing projects in issues of public interest. The antidrug campaign is one such initiative, along with ‘Aruthe Lahari,’ which was well-received. Mammootty urged the students not to let anyone destroy the youths, who are the real asset of the land, and promised to be part of such efforts.
The dignitaries, including the Kochi Mayor, MP Binoy Viswam, and MLA T J Vinod, spoke on the occasion. The campaign aims to strengthen the vigil of the society against the drug menace, and awareness campaigns against drugs and the actions of the police and Excise wings should be complementary to serve the common purpose of weeding out the menace.
As part of the program, prizes were distributed to the winners of the ‘Newspaper Preparation’ contest. The schools that won were AUP School, Mundakkara, Kinalur; Government Lower Primary School, Tholikodu, Punalur, Kollam; and Archbishop Attipetty Public School, Vaduthala in Kochi. ‘Nalla Paadam’ is a social programme of Malayala Manorama organised in association with schools.