Puttur: A combined initiative of the Dakshina Kannada District Police, Puttur Traffic Police Station, and the Students’ Union of St Philomena (Autonomous) College, Puttur, a special awareness programme on ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’ (Drug-Free India) and road safety was held on September 18 at the S.J.M. Auditorium of the College.
The chief guest, Anil Kumar S. Boomereddy, Additional Superintendent of Police, Dakshina Kannada, addressed the students and emphasized, “Youth are the wealth of the nation and the very future of our country. Unfortunately, today, many youngsters are falling prey to harmful influences, leading to the erosion of family values and threats to our cultural fabric. Addiction to substances like drugs and ganja is destructive to a sustainable society and deteriorates public health. Therefore, the youth must free themselves from such vices and contribute positively to national progress.”
Boomereddy further raised awareness about cyber crime, cautioning students about the dangers created by the misuse of social media platforms. He advised them to use social networks and the internet judiciously and to harness their benefits constructively. He also sensitized students on road safety measures and highlighted the social menace of child marriage. He urged its eradication while enlightening the gathering on the provisions of the POCSO Act and the Child Marriage Prohibition Act.
Presiding over the programme, Dr Vijaykumar Moliyar, Vice Principal of the college, called upon the students to cultivate good habits and bring laurels to the institution.
Also present at the event were Kiran Johnson D’Souza, Circle Inspector of Puttur, Anjaneya Reddy, Sub-Inspector of Puttur Town Police Station, members of the teaching faculty, and the entire student body.
The programme commenced with a prayer led by Aparna and team from I B.Sc. Dr Radhakrishna Gowda, Student Welfare Officer and Head of the Department of Business Administration, delivered the welcome address and introduced the dignitaries. The vote of thanks was proposed by Tejaswi Bhat, Lecturer in Commerce. The event was compered by Student Welfare Officer Sperl Fiona Pereira.