KOCHI: Anie lost her father to alcohol when she was just a little girl. The four-year-old is now a Class XII student who has dedicated her life to anti-drug activities, offering training sessions across the state to curb addiction. “When you take the statistics, you can see addiction is one of the most widespread social issues in India. Instead of awareness programmes or counseling, I have conceived a special approach to influence young minds,” she says.
Anie started researching the subject as a Class IX student and started a blog, one year later. “First I googled my doubts and then attended many levels of mind power training. Then there were some neuro-linguistic and thought process programmes I went through. A major part of the brain development takes place during the age of 20 to 25. My mission is to erase drugs from the lives of every individual under 25,” she says.
The state level inauguration of her project Vcan- together we can make a healthy India - was done by minister K K Shylaja on Wednesday at Government Model Boys High school in the city. Anie says her programme is not an anti-drug drive.
“Physical, mental, emotional and spiritual balance of the students is our priority. In the programme, we blend neuro and mind power in a scientific manner without going theoretical. Through interaction and with the help of latest technologies, we will be training the students. It’s an integrated approach that involves not just students, but also parents and teachers,” she adds.
For the programme, Anie has associated with international trainers and started an NGO to arrange on-the-spot trainings if necessary. She believes change in the mindset and attitude of a student is very crucial in fighting addiction. “If there are students who take drugs, this programme will motivate them to stop the habit. It makes them take a decision on their own. It will also shape the mindset of non takers in a way that they will never touch drugs or alcohol,” she says.
As part of Vcan, one lakh students from various government schools will be given one-day training and later some selected students will undergo advanced intensive training.
“They will be trained for four days which includes sessions to build their confidence, leadership quality and communicative skills. And after the four days there will be online mentoring as well,” she explains.