Mizoram Minister Lalrinpuii urges students to shun drugs, use tech wisely
Synopsis
Mizoram's trailblazing Health Minister Lalrinpuii — the first woman to hold full Cabinet rank in the state and winner of the India Icon Award 2026 — took her anti-drug, pro-technology message to Presidency University Bengaluru, spotlighting both the promise of India's youth and the risks that still shadow campuses across the country.
Key Takeaways
Mizoram Health Minister Lalrinpuii addressed students at Presidency University, Bengaluru on 4 August during the new academic session commencement.
She urged students to avoid drugs, violence , and harmful influences while using technology responsibly for learning and growth.
Lalrinpuii is the first woman to hold a full Cabinet-rank position in Mizoram's Council of Ministers under Chief Minister Lalduhoma .
She received the India Icon Award 2026 for outstanding contributions to healthcare in Mizoram.
The Minister commended Presidency University for its inclusive environment supporting students from the Northeastern states .
She was received by Chancellor Nissar Ahmed , Vice Chancellor S.J.
Thiruvengadam , and other senior officials.
Mizoram Health and Family Welfare Minister Lalrinpuii on Tuesday, 4 August called on students to lead disciplined, balanced lives — steering clear of drugs and violence while harnessing technology as a force for learning and self-improvement. She made the appeal while addressing students at Presidency University, Bengaluru, during the institution's new academic session commencement.
Key Message to Students
Minister Lalrinpuii stressed that technology must serve as an instrument of learning and innovation, not a source of distraction. She urged freshers and senior students alike to cultivate integrity, leadership, and a strong sense of social responsibility. She reminded the gathering that higher education is a transformative experience that builds character and prepares young people to become responsible citizens — not merely a means to earn a degree.
Who Lalrinpuii Is
Lalrinpuii is the first woman to hold a full Cabinet-rank ministerial position in the Council of Ministers led by Chief Minister Lalduhoma. She is also the recipient of the India Icon Award 2026 for her outstanding contribution to healthcare in Mizoram. Drawing on her own journey, she told students that lasting success comes only through perseverance, discipline, and consistent hard work.
Northeast Students and Campus Inclusivity
During her campus tour, Lalrinpuii praised Presidency University for its diverse student community and particularly commended the institution for creating an inclusive, welcoming environment for students from the Northeastern states. She said such support enables students from the region to pursue higher education in Bengaluru with confidence and a sense of belonging.
University Leadership Present
The Minister was received by Chancellor Nissar Ahmed, Vice Chairperson Nafeesa Ahmed, Vice Chancellor S.J. Thiruvengadam, and Pro Vice Chancellor Vidya Shankar Shetty. She interacted with students and urged them to strive not just for personal excellence but also for active contribution to community development and nation-building, noting that India is among the world's youngest nations.
Point of View
Partly to reassure students from the region who often face social isolation far from home. Her dual emphasis on drug avoidance and responsible technology use is well-timed: campus drug abuse and screen addiction are documented concerns in Indian higher education, yet they rarely get ministerial-level attention outside crisis moments. That a health minister is making this case in an academic setting — rather than a rehabilitation context — signals a welcome shift toward prevention. The real measure, however, is whether such messaging translates into institutional support structures at universities that host large numbers of Northeastern students.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mizoram Minister Lalrinpuii?
Lalrinpuii is the Mizoram Health and Family Welfare Minister and the first woman to hold a full Cabinet-rank ministerial position in the state's Council of Ministers under Chief Minister Lalduhoma. She received the India Icon Award 2026 for her contributions to healthcare in Mizoram.
Why did Lalrinpuii visit Presidency University Bengaluru?
She visited Presidency University Bengaluru on 4 August to address students at the commencement of the new academic session, urging them to avoid drugs and violence and to use technology responsibly for learning and personal development.
What was the Minister's message on technology?
Lalrinpuii urged students to ensure technology serves as a tool for learning, innovation, and self-improvement rather than becoming a source of distraction. She stressed digital awareness as a key skill for today's students.
What did the Minister say about students from Northeastern states?
Lalrinpuii specifically commended Presidency University for providing an inclusive and supportive environment for students from the Northeastern states, enabling them to study in Bengaluru with confidence and a sense of belonging.
Who received the Minister at Presidency University?
Lalrinpuii was received by Chancellor Nissar Ahmed, Vice Chairperson Nafeesa Ahmed, Vice Chancellor S.J. Thiruvengadam, and Pro Vice Chancellor Vidya Shankar Shetty during her visit to the Bengaluru campus.
