Students should remain alert against attempts to spread hatred: Chief Minister

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday said that students must remain alert against attempts to spread caste and religious hatred and work for the growth of society without losing humanity. He was speaking after inaugurating the Dr Ravi Pillai Academic Excellence Scholarship distribution ceremony held at Nishagandhi Auditorium.

The Chief Minister urged students to take a strong stand against drug abuse and to take a firm pledge not to use drugs. "Students should grow into responsible students who do not cause worry to their parents. The Dr Ravi Pillai Academic Excellence Scholarship is a major initiative that opens up wide opportunities for educational progress. In the first phase, scholarships worth Rs 10 crore will be distributed to 1,500 students. The organisers informed that Rs 525 crore has been set aside for the project over the next 50 years. This support would give confidence to financially weaker students to pursue higher education," the CM said.

Minister K. Rajan presided over the function. MLAs Kadakampally Surendran, Ramesh Chennithala, K. Ansalan, V.K. Prasanth, M. Vincent and P.C. Vishnunath attended the event. NORKA Executive Vice Chairman P. Sreeramakrishnan, NORKA Director Dr Ravi Pillai, Pravasi Welfare Fund Board Chairman Gafur P. Lilly and Loka Kerala Sabha Director Asif K. Yusuf were also present. NORKA Secretary T.V. Anupama delivered the welcome address ,and NORKA CEO Ajith Kolassery proposed the vote of thanks.