Alternatives For a Fuller Life

An anti-drug campaign was conducted in the Silver Hills Public School on Monday, 17 October at 8.00 am. Accordingly a special assembly was conducted for classes VII – XII. Col. Naveen D Benjith, Commanding Officer, I22 Territorial Army, Madras Regiment, was the chief guest. Fr John Mannarathara CMI, Principal, Fr Augustine K Mathew CMI, Administrator, Ms Mary Paul, School Counselor, senior faculty members and school leaders spoke on the occasion.  The programme began with a prayer by the school choir. Ms Chitra P, faculty, introduced the significance of the day by speaking on the quest of happiness undertaken by us to lead a full - fledged life. The means of happiness differs from person to person- from healthy relationships, travelling, performing arts, literature, writing and reading books, social service, sports and games, watching movies, to consumption of alcohol and drugs- the list goes on. Alcohol and drugs are the present-day social evils which are to be eradicated completely. It becomes the need of the hour to impart proper awareness of substance abuse and its hazards among the young generation and it is important to lead them to constructive and healthy intoxicants. Fr John Mannarathara, in his address reinforced the idea that if you are alive, you are a creative person because everyone is descended from tens of thousands of years of makers who are our common ancestors. He further effectively conveyed the idea by reading relevant content from the book ‘Big Magic’ to the young audience.  He quoted “We make things because we like making things. And inspiration works with us, it seems, because inspiration likes working with us”. The School Chairperson, Meher, introduced the guest. Col Naveen D Benjith shared his personal experiences on how he quit his habit of smoking which served as an eye-opener to one and all. He narrated several anecdotes from his life in the army to drive home the point that addiction to  life-threatening habits can be prevented with the right kind of inspiration in the formative years. Raiza Maria Roy of Class X and Edwin Prasad of Class XII administered the oath against substance abuse. Abhinav Sajith, School Leader, proposed the vote of thanks.
  Students of classes XI and XII cast their votes in favour of alternate intoxicants, as a symbol of their right to choose. The Polling Officers were Ms Vrinda Devi and Ms Sibina K and the Presiding Officer was Ms Mary Paul. Digital preparation of the alternate intoxicants was done by selected students from classes IX and XI as part of the election campaign which was followed by the open voting keeping up the democratic values.