Event Report
The Voices of Life Lecture Series is an initiative of IALSE to equip individuals with essential life skills and promote holistic well-being. It aims to:
- Conduct monthly sessions on emotional intelligence, stress management, peer pressure, and mental health.
- Create safe dialogic spaces for students to engage in meaningful reflection and open conversations.
Highlights of the Inaugural Session
- The event coincided with the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
- Ms. Rama Bhide, Secretary, IALSE, anchored the program, emphasizing the urgency of prevention through awareness and education.
- Dr. Archana Patki, Principal, Smt. MMP Shah Women’s College, highlighted life skills as the “first line of defence” against addiction and social manipulation.
- Dr. A. Radhakrishnan Nair, President, IALSE, addressed drug abuse as a behavioural and social crisis, calling for early intervention through life skills education in schools. He described life skills as “survival skills,” not just soft skills.
- Prof. Dr. Mohanan Kunnummel, Vice Chancellor, Kerala University of Health Sciences, delivered the inaugural lecture, stressing that addiction is a disease requiring treatment and prevention, not just punishment. He emphasized early warning signs, family support, and alternative pathways like sports and creative pursuits.
- Contributions from Dr. Bindu, Mr. B. Senthil, and Dr. Gauri Hardikar highlighted the role of families, juvenile justice, and adolescent cognitive development in prevention strategies.