Vice-President says death over drugs painful; anti-drug pledge at SRM convocation
Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan described a college student’s death in Tamil Nadu over drug information as very painful, during SRMIST’s 22nd convocation. He urged students to avoid drugs, and new graduates took an anti-drug pledge.
Key takeaways
- The Vice-President described the death of a Tamil Nadu college student linked to drug information as a personal, painful loss.
- The event was the 22nd convocation of SRM Institute of Science and Technology in Kattankulathur.
- Tamil Nadu Governor Arlekar and SRMIST Chancellor Paarivendhar attended the convocation.
- An anti-drug pledge was administered to new graduates as part of the ceremony.
- The remarks emphasize a public-health framing of drug use within a high-profile academic setting.
What Happened
At the 22nd convocation of the SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST) in Kattankulathur, Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan addressed graduates, accompanied by Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and SRMIST Chancellor T.R. Paarivendhar. He spoke about the death of a college student in Tamil Nadu who reportedly died after providing information about the drug prevalence in the area. In his remarks, the Vice-President emphasized staying away from drugs and other substances that can lead to abuse, urging students to keep their minds under their own control rather than external influences. During the ceremony, new graduates were administered an “anti-drug” pledge as part of the event’s program.
Why It Matters
The remarks connect a national political figure to concerns about drug use and public health, highlighting an emphasis on anti-drug messaging at a university convocation. The inclusion of an anti-drug pledge at a major graduation event signals an effort to institutionalize prevention messaging within higher education settings and to influence new graduates’ attitudes toward drug use.
Background
SRM Institute of Science and Technology held its 22nd convocation in Kattankulathur. The Vice-President’s address referenced a reported death related to the drug prevalence issue in Tamil Nadu, framing it as a personal loss as if a family member had been affected. The Governor and the Chancellor were present for the convocation proceedings and the pledge initiative.
Key Facts
- The event took place at SRMIST in Kattankulathur for its 22nd convocation.
- Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan spoke at the ceremony.
- Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and Chancellor T.R. Paarivendhar also attended.
- He referred to the death of a college student in Tamil Nadu connected to information about drug prevalence.
- He urged attendees to stay away from drugs and to keep their minds under personal control.
- New graduates were administered an anti-drug pledge during the convocation.
- The report date is August 16, 2026, with the publication time noted as 07:44 pm IST.
What Happens Next
There is no explicit scheduling of further steps beyond the anti-drug pledge administered at the ceremony. The event description indicates continued emphasis on anti-drug messaging within SRMIST and similar institutions as part of graduation routines.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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