Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Virendra Kumar has called for stronger dialogue, empathy and understanding between young people, parents and teachers, stressing that the rapidly changing digital environment requires institutions to engage with students rather than simply criticise their use of technology.
Kumar was speaking to school students at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre (DAIC) during the programme “The Fifth Space – Where Education Meets Responsibility.”
The minister said young people need a comfortable environment where they can openly discuss their concerns, challenges and aspirations.
He emphasised the importance of maintaining strong emotional connections between students, parents and teachers so that children can seek guidance when facing difficulties.
Kumar also highlighted the need to recognise that every child has different strengths, aspirations and needs.
Explaining the concept behind the programme, Kumar described the “Fifth Space” as a convergence of home, school, culture, society, citizenship, knowledge and the digital world.
He stressed that technology must be accompanied by ethics, responsibility and sound judgement, particularly as young people increasingly grow up in a digitally connected environment.
The approach seeks to encourage institutions and families to understand the changing environment in which students live rather than treating technology use only as a problem.
Kumar also spoke about the idea of “Drishti Se Antardrishti Ki Aur”, or moving from vision to insight.
He encouraged students and educators to go beyond simply observing social and personal challenges and develop a deeper understanding of them.
The programme gave students an opportunity to interact directly with the minister, ask questions and share their perspectives.
Kumar urged students to remain curious and responsible while recognising their role in shaping India’s future.
Discussions during the interaction covered several issues relevant to young people, including:
- Child rights and safety
- Gender equality
- Human dignity
- Digital responsibility
- Responsible citizenship
- The importance of dialogue between generations
The discussions reflected the need for education to address not only academic development but also the social, emotional and ethical challenges faced by students.
The programme was organised by the National Commission for Women (NCW) in collaboration with DAIC, UNESCO New Delhi and Mount Abu Public School.
The event was attended by Dr Sanjeev Sharma, Member Secretary of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR); Dr Jyoti Arora, Principal of Mount Abu Public School; and Vijaya Kishore Rahat, Chairperson of the National Commission for Women.
The interaction highlighted the importance of reducing the generational gap through open communication and mutual understanding.
As technology becomes increasingly integrated into students’ everyday lives, the discussion also underlined the importance of preparing young people not just for academic success, but for responsible, ethical and dignified citizenship.
