What began as whispers in hostel corridors has now escalated into a full-blown public health and policing concern. Southern states like Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu are witnessing an alarming rise in synthetic drug abuse, with teenagers and young adults at the center of the crisis.

In a recent viral tweet, retired Air Marshal Anil Chopra flagged the disturbing trend: MDMA pills being sold in candy-like packaging, local supply chains delivering narcotics within hours, and children experimenting with highly addictive substances disguised as harmless fun.

The Drugs of Concern

• MDMA (Ecstasy): Marketed under names like Blue Butterfly, Tesla, or Superman, these designer drugs are being distributed in schools and colleges. Often colorful and candy-shaped, they lower inhibitions and increase the risk of dependence.
• Vapes Laced with THC or Synthetic Nicotine: Marketed as “flavored” devices, these are becoming a gateway for school-going children, especially in urban centers like Bengaluru and Kochi.
• LSD Tabs and Cocaine Microdoses: Previously seen only in high-end party circles, these are now available on encrypted Telegram groups with “guaranteed delivery” across Tier 2 cities.

The Modus Operandi: Fast, Digital, Hidden

Dealers are adapting. Using platforms like Instagram DMs, Telegram groups, and even food delivery-style drop services, narcotics are being dispatched faster than pizza. The buyers? School and college students with access to UPI wallets or crypto payments.

Ground Reports: What Police and Parents Are Saying

In Kerala, over 3,000 drug-related arrests were made in 2023 alone — a large number involving juveniles. A senior narcotics officer noted, “These aren’t hardened criminals. Many are 15–17-year-olds from decent families, trapped by peer pressure and tech-savvy peddlers.”

Parents are often unaware until too late. “We thought it was an energy drink or a protein supplement,” said one mother from Kozhikode whose son was hospitalized after consuming a THC-infused vape.

Why It’s Spreading

• Peer pressure + social media glamorization
• Easy access through quick delivery models
• Lack of awareness among parents and teachers
• Delayed regulatory enforcement on vaping and new synthetics

What’s Being Done

• Kerala and Tamil Nadu police have launched school-level awareness campaigns
• NCB and local enforcement are tracking crypto-linked drug deals
• New bans on flavored vape imports have been enforced, but black-market supply continues
• Mental health NGOs are stepping in with rehab and counseling support in colleges

Conclusion

This isn’t just a law-and-order issue — it’s a youth emergency. Unless parents, schools, governments, and tech platforms act in unison, a generation risks being lost to addiction dressed in glitter. The need of the hour is not just crackdowns but conversation, prevention, and support.

India’s classrooms are undergoing a quiet revolution — powered not by chalk and board, but by Artificial Intelligence (AI). As education embraces the digital era, AI is emerging as a powerful tool that is personalizing learning, improving accessibility, and redefining how students engage with content.Across schools and colleges in urban and rural India, AI is no longer just a buzzword — it’s becoming a daily reality.

One of the most promising innovations is the use of AI-powered teaching assistants. Take the example of Alice, a voice-activated AI bot developed by students at Bhubanananda Odisha School of Engineering. Alice can assist in answering scientific queries for up to six hours a day, pulling answers from large AI models like ChatGPT. Such tools are helping teachers manage large classrooms more effectively while giving students the freedom to explore learning at their own pace.

Meanwhile, edtech platforms like MindCraft and EdSaarthi are building AI-based personalized learning engines that adapt to a student’s level, strengths, and learning gaps — delivering content that is tailored, dynamic, and data-driven.

These innovations are not confined to elite institutions. With government initiatives like ‘AI for All’ and the AI Curriculum by CBSE, efforts are being made to integrate AI learning from as early as Class 8, making sure Indian students are not just AI consumers but future creators.

The impact is visible:Students in remote areas are now accessing AI-powered revision tools and doubt solversTeachers are using automated assessment tools to generate quizzes and analyze performanceSchools are experimenting with AI chatbots for career counseling and concept explanationInstitutions like Universal AI University in Maharashtra are going a step further — embedding AI as a core module across undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

Of course, challenges remain. Not every school has access to digital infrastructure. Concerns around data privacy, bias in algorithms, and teacher training need to be addressed. But the momentum is clear: AI is no longer a futuristic concept in Indian education — it’s the present.

As India moves toward a more inclusive and technologically enabled education system, AI offers a unique opportunity to bridge gaps, improve outcomes, and truly personalize learning for every student, everywhere.

At a time when Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and AI-powered content dominate attention spans, one might assume that books have taken a backseat in modern India. But the reality tells a different story. Across metros and small towns, there’s a rising wave of reading revival — powered by new-age publishing, regional authors, influencer-led book communities, and a growing thirst for authenticity.

Whether it’s business books by Indian startup founders, self-help titles in Hindi, or viral BookTok recommendations, India’s book sales have steadily grown over the past two years. E-commerce platforms, audio-books, and mobile reading apps are helping Gen Z and millennials rediscover reading — not just as a hobby, but as a lifestyle choice.

One key driver of this resurgence is the rise of Indian voices and vernacular storytelling. Readers are increasingly seeking out relatable content — be it regional language fiction, biographies of Indian entrepreneurs, or books decoding ancient wisdom like the Arthashastra and Bhagavad Gita for modern audiences. Homegrown publishing houses and self-publishing platforms have further democratized access.

Offline, independent bookstores and reading cafés are making a comeback. Cities like Bengaluru, Pune, and Lucknow are seeing community-driven book clubs, author events, and reading marathons bring readers together in analog ways.

This revival isn’t just cultural — it’s commercial too. The Indian book market is projected to reach ₹1,000 crore by 2026, with significant growth in children’s books, competitive exam material, and non-fiction categories.

In a noisy digital world, books offer what few mediums can — depth, perspective, and reflection. As more Indians look to unplug, re-focus, and self-educate, the humble book is finding its place back in the spotlight.