‘Safety Club’ launched in educational institutes to foster student empowerment

In a bid to promote student safety, Hyderabad police in partnership with the Telangana government, civil society organisations and educational institutions, launched the ‘Safety Club’ initiative on Monday at A.V. College.

Under the Safety Club model, each institution will appoint a principal as ‘chairperson’, a teacher as convener (Balamitra), a parent volunteer as ‘safety guide’ and select student volunteers as ‘safety advocates’. Clubs will hold monthly reviews, safety walks and feedback sessions. Planned activities include cyber safety campaigns, anti-drug drives, mental health awareness weeks, legal awareness and rights sessions, and digital detox programmes for students and parents.

The inaugural ceremony saw participation of students from AV College, St Theresa’s, and Bharat Scouts and Guides. The Safety Club will focus on four core areas: physical safety, cyber safety, substance abuse prevention, and mental health and emotional well-being. It aims to equip students with awareness, decision-making skills and a sense of accountability, both within and beyond school campuses.

AV College principal Rajalingam said, “In a world that’s changing rapidly, safety can no longer be limited to walls and gates. It must include emotional safety, digital awareness and the courage to say no to risky behavior.”

Central zone DCP Shilpavalli focused on the preventive approach underpinning the programme. “This initiative is not about policing young people; it is about empowering them. It is about creating an environment where students feel safe, supported and strong — physically, emotionally and digitally. Our role is not just to protect, but to prepare,” she said.

Delivering the keynote address, District Collector Harichandana described the Safety Club as a transformative platform that engages students as stakeholders in their own safety. “This programme goes beyond awareness. It encourages student voice, strengthens civic sense and helps build a generation that is alert and accountable,” she said. Urging students to be agents of change, she stressed the importance of discipline, consistency and staying away from distractions and addictions to achieve long-term success.

The event concluded with a student pledge and an interactive session with police officers. Also present were Devika, a deaddiction therapist, and Ashish Chakravarthy from the Narcotics Control Bureau.