Students build anti-drug human fortress as Thrissur gears up for State School Arts Festival

As part of the run-up to the 64th State School Arts Festival, thousands of students in Thrissur formed a massive human chain against drug abuse on Friday, turning Swaraj Round into a powerful symbol of resistance and awareness. Nearly 10,000 students from schools across the district participated in the anti-drug formation, described as a “defensive fortress” against substance abuse.

In the presence of Ministers V. Sivankutty and K. Rajan, District Collector Arjun Pandian, Director of General Education N.S.K. Umesh and other senior officials, students took an anti-drug pledge. The event was inaugurated by Minister for General Education and Labour V. Sivankutty.

Calling for a broader cultural shift, the Minister urged students to say “no” not only to drugs but also to unhealthy behaviours and unnatural practices. “The Education department is even proposing a code of conduct to address such tendencies,” he said. The State School Arts Festival, he added, should not be seen merely as a cultural extravaganza, but as a “responsible festival” that sends strong social messages. He also reminded students that success on the competition stage is not the sole measure of life, and that failure should be understood as a lesson rather than an end.

Mr. Rajan presided over the function. A street play titled Ayyo Lahari Baadha (Oh No, Drug Addiction), performed by NSS students of SMMGVHSS, Vailoppilli, highlighted the dangers of substance abuse. The event also saw the release of the logos of the Sanskrit and Arabic arts festivals.

Final preparations reviewed

With just four days to go for the State School Arts Festival, the district administration and Ministers reviewed the final stages of preparation. The functioning of various committees constituted for the festival was assessed at meetings led by Mr. Sivankutty, Mr. Rajan, Higher Education Minister R. Bindu, and Mr. Pandian.

Festival review meetings, along with interactions with traders, industrialists and a green protocol committee, were held. Training sessions and uniform distribution for green volunteers were jointly inaugurated by Mr. Sivankutty and Mr. Rajan.

“This has gone beyond a mere committee for waste removal. It has become a platform to impart valuable lessons to society,” Mr. Rajan said.

The volunteer training programme was organised jointly by the Suchitwa Mission, the Thrissur Corporation, and the green protocol committee, while Suchitwa Mission arranged the uniforms. Mayor Niji Justin presided over the event. Public Education Secretary K. Vasuki delivered a session on Zero Waste in the State, and Suchitwa Mission District Programme Officer Rajinesh Rajan trained students on field-level implementation.