Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Professor M.K. Sanoo in conversation during the inauguration of Maharaja’s College’s 150th anniversary celebrations and the new auditorium at the college in Kochi on May 27, 2025.
| Photo Credit: R.K. Nithin
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday (May 27, 2025) exhorted teachers and students to join the fight against the menace of drugs and crime among the youth.
“The fight has to be part of the main activities to be undertaken in the new academic year in both the general and higher education sectors,” he said in his address at the inauguration of the 150th year celebrations at the autonomous Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam, and the new auditorium on the campus.
He said that the drug menace had spread its wings among the youth. “We have to realise that it will eventually impact the peaceful life in our society. The vigil against drugs and crime among the youth has to be stepped up,” he added.
The Chief Minister urged stakeholders in the higher education sector to carry out self-introspection on the need to enhance levels of excellence. “Over the past years, the Left Front government has initiated several measures to step up quality and excellence in the sector. In the nationwide rankings in the category of State Public Universities, Kerala has three universities figuring within the first 12 positions, including Kerala University, Cochin University of Science and Technology, and Mahatma Gandhi University. Sixteen colleges in the State figured among the top 100 colleges in the country [National Institutional Ranking Framework], indicating the progress achieved,” he pointed out.
He said that Maharaja’s College has a rich legacy and tradition spanning several decades. “The institution also has its own political lineage and history. The prestigious institution has contributed significantly to the progress of Kerala by offering quality education to hundreds of students. Over the years, the college has achieved several milestones in research and academic areas,” he added.
M.K. Sanoo, literary critic, Higher Education Minister R. Bindu, Industries Minister P. Rajeeve, and Hibi Eden, MP, attended.
Aluva market inaugurated
The Chief Minister also inaugurated the construction work of the ‘high-tech market’ complex at Aluva on Tuesday. “The many projects that the Centre and the State are jointly implementing are proof of mutual cooperation under the country’s federal system,” he said.
The market will make Aluva one of the prominent development hubs in the State. The Chief Minister said KIIFB projects totalling ₹300 crore were being implemented.
The Aluva market costing ₹48.32 crore will be spread over 1.82 lakh sq ft. Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian presided over the event.
Published – May 27, 2025 09:05 pm IST
