Keralam launches "1 Million Toofan Goals@World Cup 2026" anti-drug campaign in schools
Thiruvananthapuram, June 10
With only days left for the FIFA World Cup 2026 to kick off, the Keralam General Education Department has launched a football-themed anti-drug campaign for students titled '1 Million Toofan Goals@World Cup 2026'.
The campaign, to be held in schools with Classes I to XII from June 11 to July 20, aims to spread awareness against drug abuse through football-related activities.
The campaign was inaugurated by Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and General Education Minister N Samsudheen at Global Sports City Turf in Ambalamukku. The two ministers symbolically kicked off the campaign by scoring goals.
On the occasion, a dedicated dashboard prepared by Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE) for monitoring and coordinating the campaign was also inaugurated.
Earlier, Ramesh Chennithala had launched "Operation Toofan: The Narco Hunt", a statewide campaign aimed at dismantling drug networks and curbing the growing menace of narcotics in the state.
In a post on X, Chennithala said the operation would be carried out in coordination with the Health and Excise Departments and would focus on eliminating drug trafficking at its roots."Operation Toofan: The Narco Hunt. From today... Aimed at overhauling drug mafia in the state in coordination with Health and Excise departments, this operation is aimed at destroying the drug menace from its root. Need prayers and support for the initiative!" the minister wrote.
The launch of the anti-narcotics drive comes amid growing concerns over the sharp rise in drug-related cases in Keralam. According to police data, 36,314 cases were registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in 2025, a significant increase from 27,530 cases recorded in 2024.
The trend reflects a broader challenge faced by the state in recent years. Data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) showed that Keralam recorded the highest number of NDPS cases in the country in 2023, with 30,697 cases registered.
Ahead of the launch, Kerala Police had appealed for public participation in the campaign. In a post on X on May 28, the force said, "Operation Toofan: The Narco Hunt. From June 1st, let's move forward together for a healthy tomorrow. Let's uproot addiction. Through a people's resistance where the public, schools, and families join hands with us, we can ensure peace in our homes and a fearless atmosphere on our streets."
The latest campaign follows a series of focused law enforcement drives undertaken by Kerala Police. Earlier this year, under "Operation Round Up", police arrested 1,663 individuals, including habitual offenders and absconding accused, in a statewide effort to strengthen public safety and law and order.
— ANI
Reader Comments
While the campaign sounds good in theory, I'm a bit skeptical. My daughter's school in Kozhikode has many activities planned but I wonder if it's just a one-time event. The real challenge is sustaining awareness throughout the year. Also, the NDPS cases increasing from 27,530 to 36,314 in just one year is alarming. We need more than just football matches to tackle this crisis. Hope the government follows through with proper implementation.
As a parent living in Thrissur, I appreciate the state government's proactive stance. The 1 Million Toofan Goals campaign name itself is catchy - it'll definitely capture kids' attention. However, I hope the KITE dashboard is used effectively for monitoring and not just for show. Also, the Operation Round Up arrests of 1,663 individuals shows the police are serious. This combined approach of enforcement and education is what we need. 💪
Impressive to see Kerala taking such creative steps. I'm from Canada but working in Kochi now, and I must say the state's approach to using football fandom for anti-drug messaging is innovative. The fact that they're targeting students from Class I to XII shows they understand prevention starts young. Hope the dashboard provides transparent data on the campaign's effectiveness. International best practices could be useful here.
Good move by the ministers, but I wish they had involved more local football clubs and former players in this campaign. Having IM Vijayan or other Malayali football legends interact with students would have added more credibility and excitement. Still, Operation Toofan seems comprehensive - combining education with enforcement. The 30,697 NDPS cases in 2023 being the highest in India is a wake-up call for all of us. Better late than never, I guess.
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