Keralam minister urges students to join fight against drug abuse

General Education Minister N. Samsudheen presented the prize to the winner of the Children’s Parliament Competition organized by VISWAS at the Collectorate Conference Hall, Palakkad on Monday evening. | Photo credit: KK Mustafah

General Education Minister N. Samsudheen urged students to join the fight against drug abuse and warned that the menace threatens not only the lives of individuals but also the growth of society and its cultural values.

He said this after inaugurating the closing ceremony of the district-level Children’s Parliament competition organized by the Victim Information, Sensitization, Welfare and Relief Society (VISWAS) and State Bank of India as part of the state government’s anti-drug campaign, Operation Toofan, here on Monday.

The competition brought together higher secondary students from schools across Palakkad district and gave them a platform to express their views and engage with society’s issues.

The winners

KC Shreya of Sree Narayana Public School, Kollengode won the first prize. Faiha Parveen of Government Higher Secondary School, Peringottkurissi won the second prize. G. Fidal of Kannadi Higher Secondary School, Kannadi finished third.

Five students received consolation prizes. They were Basil Shibu of CA Higher Secondary School, Ayakkad; I. Mohammed Isham of Government Higher Secondary School, Muthalamada; K. Chandana of Big Bazaar Government Higher Secondary School, Palakkad; J. Fathima Sana of Muslim Secondary Vocational School, Pudunagaram; and K. Thushara Baburaj of Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Pallavur.

The Minister presented prizes and diplomas to the winners. The judges were former District Magistrate T. Indira, former Dy.SP VS Mohammed Kasim and member Child Protection Committee Deepa Jayaprakash.

VISWAS Vice President B. Jayaraj presided over the function held at the Collectorate Conference Hall. VISWAS India General Secretary P. Premnath, Excise Assistant Commissioner Sajeevan, Teaching Assistant PP Ramesh, SBI Senior Manager Krishnanunni, Police Sub-Inspectors U. Manoj and Sreedharan, VISWAS Legal Forum Convener K. Vijaya, Vice-President N. Rakhi and Secretary M. Devada addressed the M.

Published – 10 Nov 2026 18:44 IST