Become a Contributor
During January 2026, the Our Responsibility to Children (ORC) programme implemented a comprehensive set of life skill training, focused interventions, outreach activities, and individual counselling sessions across multiple schools, aiming to strengthen students’ mental well-being, life skills, and personal development. The month’s activities were designed to promote self-awareness, emotional resilience, academic confidence, and responsible decision-making among school children through interactive and participatory methods.
Three Smart-40 Camps were successfully conducted at MOHFMGGHSS, Kalapet; GHS, Kodathur; and GHS, Thirubuvanai, reaching a total of 110 high school students (50 boys and 60 girls). The camps focused on holistic life skill development, covering themes such as self-awareness, self-esteem, equality, empathy, communication, teamwork, leadership, critical thinking, decision-making, and public speaking. Students were also sensitized to important legal and social topics, including the Juvenile Justice Act, the Right to Education Act, and the POCSO Act. The sessions concluded with reflections on the importance of parents, teachers, and supportive relationships in personal growth. Overall, students demonstrated high engagement, active participation, and a clear understanding of the values and concepts imparted during the camp.
Under the Focused Intervention Programme, sessions were conducted at MDRRGHS, Thirukkanur; IAGHSS, Muthiraiyarpalayam; and GHS, Dharmapuri, benefiting 259 students (136 boys and 123 girls). The thematic sessions addressed key areas such as empowered living, healthy relationships, physical health and hygiene, digital wellbeing, exam fear management, career guidance, and interpersonal relationships. Students were guided to recognize healthy and unhealthy relationships, understand the impact of mobile addiction on mental and physical health, and adopt practical strategies for managing exam stress and improving academic focus. These interventions significantly enhanced students’ confidence, awareness of career pathways, and understanding of personal well-being and responsible behaviour.
Individual counselling was provided to 16 students (8 boys and 8 girls), including 3 higher secondary and 13 high school students, from schools such as MOHFMGGHSS, Kalapet; GHS, Kodathur; TVKGHS, Arumparthapuram; PDGHS, Pethuchettipet; GHS, Kalmandapam; and SVR GHS, Maducarai. These sessions offered personalized psychological and emotional support, addressing academic concerns, behavioural issues, and personal challenges, thereby contributing to improved emotional stability and student well-being.
An Outreach Programme was also conducted for 50 NSS students (25 boys and 25 girls) at Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Arts College, KT Kuppam, under the theme “Empowering Young Minds and Building a Better Future.” The session covered self-awareness, empathy, interpersonal relationships, mental health, and problem-solving skills. Students actively engaged in discussions and activity-based learning, reporting that the sessions were energetic, interactive, and highly useful. Feedback indicated noticeable improvement in confidence, teamwork, and life skills awareness among participants.
Additional field activities included regular school visits to Vallalar GGHSS, Lawspet; MOHFMGGHSS, Kalapet; GHS, Dharmapuri; IAGHSS, Muthiraiyarpalayam; GHS, Kalmandapam; and GHS, Maducarai for programme follow-up and coordination. Water audit and water sample collection activities were also carried out in Kodathur, Immaculate Heart of Mary’s Govt Aided School (Reddiyarpalayam), GHS Sandhaipudhukuppam, Olanthai, Embalam, and Muthiraipalayam, integrating environmental awareness with student engagement.
Overall, in January 2026, the ORC programme conducted 3 Smart-40 Camps (110 students), 3 General Awareness and Focused Intervention sessions (259 students), 1 Outreach Programme (50 students), and 16 individual counselling sessions. The collective impact of these initiatives reflects a strong and sustained effort toward enhancing students’ life skills, mental health awareness, academic preparedness, and social responsibility, contributing meaningfully to their holistic development and long-term well-being.
If you have an innovative idea for bringing a positive change in Puducherry, please join hands by sharing it with us in driving Puducherry to become a model Union Territory.
Meditation Water Hyacinth Entrepreneur Workshop Meditation Marico Eco-Campus Project: Advancing Water Sustainability and School-Based Environmental S..
Meditation Marico Eco-Campus Project: Advancing Water Sustainability and School-Based Environmental S..