The Central University of Kerala launched a national hackathon program aimed at finding technological solutions to curb drug addiction among students. The program was inaugurated on Wednesday by Vice Chancellor Prof. H. Venkateshwarlu, who highlighted that social problems such as drug addiction can be effectively combated through effective interventions using modern technology. He further added that the university is willing to conduct Idea Hackathons every year to find innovative solutions for social problems.

The program is organized by the Kerala Start Up Mission, District Panchayat, Excise and Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Cell (IEDC) of the University. Twenty teams selected from around 100 applicants from five states are participating in the 30-hour continuous innovation marathon. The teams will present several innovations, including the use of 'emotional intelligence' to detect drug use, a device that can detect drug use by monitoring hormonal changes in the human body, and mobile apps to help identify drug users and marketers.

The innovation selected from the hackathon will be awarded a prize of Rs.50,000 and will receive financial assistance from District Panchayat to implement the concept. The inauguration ceremony was presided over by District Panchayat President Baby Balakrishnan. Startup Mission Malabar Regional Business Development Coordinator Sawad Syed explained the program, while District Panchayat Vice President Shanawas Padur and Dr. Devi Parvathi also spoke during the event. Prof. Joseph Koyippally extended a warm welcome, and Dr. Thasleema T.M delivered the vote of thanks.