Urgent need to protect youth from falling prey to drugs: Vaiko
A rousing reception was accorded by a large number of public and the cadre of Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) to their leader Vaiko at Othakadai, the outskirts of Madurai district on Sunday.
Starting the 140-kilometre ‘walk for equality’ (samathuva nadai payanam) from Tiruchi to Madurai, the veteran Dravidian leader said that he was immensely satisfied on the mission, which was flagged off by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in Tiruchi on January 2.
Accompanied by a strong contingent of 700 cadre from the party, Mr Vaiko said that though he had walked for multiple causes in the past since 1986, the present walk gave him the real satisfaction in many ways.
While the State was progressing well in the hands of Mr. Stalin, who had set a high benchmark for others in the county in many spheres, there was an urgent need to protect the youth from falling prey to drugs.
Expressing concern over the rise in drugs and liquor addiction, Mr Vaiko said that instead of indulging in a blame game on the political parties or the government, the parents should take the first step. When parents have high ambitions for their children, they should also keep an eye on them.
“Drugs are nothing but slow poison. It will kill. For many crimes, liquor is the root cause. It is the responsibility of all, and the parents had a major role to play in the upbringing of their children,” he stressed and that the walk was primarily to convey the message that even at this advanced age of 80 years, he was fit enough to walk 140 km.
The MDMK leader said that with clean habits and healthy food intake, age would not be a deterrent factor. He appealed to the youth to work hard and stay away from any form of drugs and liquor in the larger public interest.
He said, “I walk regularly for 40 to 60 minutes and was thus able to cover 10 to 13 km daily now. Despite severe cold and sunny days, he turned cheerful on seeing youngsters receiving him at many habitations.
“I stopped patiently, whenever youth requested for a selfie picture from their handphones,” he said.
On the Thirupparankundram temple ‘deepam’ issue, the MDMK leader said that from time immemorial Madurai had stood as a symbol of unity in diversity and a place for communal harmony. During the Chitirai festival celebrations, the Muslims presented mangalsutra to the womenfolk at the celestial wedding of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar.
The residents of Madurai have been offering worship at the famous Thirupparankundram shrine (the first among the Aarupadai Veedu) here and it would be wise not to politicise or mislead the people. The judgments delivered were sure to create enmity. The Tamil Nadu government’s stand was absolutely right and sensible, which prevented any untoward incidents, he said.
From the Sangam days and even much before, Madurai has a rich history of culture and the tales of Porkaipandian and Nedunchezian were classic examples for justice. He also recalled that it was in Madurai, Gandhi turned his attire to simple loin cloth