Rajhans Vidyalaya organised an informative Alumni Talk featuring its esteemed alumna, Dr. Ashwini Khedkar, an accomplished paediatrician and neonatologist. The session, attended by students of Std. VIII, focused on cyberbullying and the responsible use of digital platforms.

Ms. Amrita Dayal warmly welcomed Dr. Khedkar and expressed her pride in welcoming back one of the school’s own students. She shared that Dr. Khedkar had once walked the same corridors and sat in the same classrooms, proving that dedication, hard work, and perseverance can transform dreams into reality.

Dr. Khedkar and Mr. Alok Pradhan explained the meaning of cyberbullying and its impact on individuals. Through an interactive discussion, students learnt that cyberbullying can occur through social media, online games, chat applications, and other digital platforms. They were introduced to common forms of cyberbullying, including:

1. Posting hurtful comments or messages
2. Threatening or intimidating others online
3. Hacking accounts or spreading rumours
4. Sharing embarrassing photographs or videos
5. Misusing personal information and voice recordings

The speakers emphasised the importance of maintaining a positive digital footprint and advised students to think before posting or sharing anything online. They were cautioned against accepting friend requests from strangers, clicking suspicious links, sharing personal information, or making online payments without parental guidance.

Students were also guided on the appropriate steps to take if they experienced or witnessed cyberbullying:

1. Inform a parent, teacher, or trusted adult immediately
2. Avoid responding to the bully and block the account
3. Save screenshots as evidence and report the incident
4. Use the official Cyber Crime Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) for serious cases

The students were informed that cyberbullying is a punishable offence under various Indian laws, including the Information Technology Act, 2000, the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The session concluded with the message to be kind online, think before posting, and use technology responsibly. It was highly informative and interactive, equipping students with practical knowledge to identify, prevent, and report cyberbullying. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Ms. Sonali Singh, expressing gratitude to Dr. Ashwini Khedkar and Mr. Alok Pradhan for their valuable guidance.