Hyderabad: Students participating in the Compassionate Citizenship Program, implemented by COVA (Confederation of Voluntary Associations) in collaboration with the Education Department of the Government of Telangana, have emerged as powerful advocates for social responsibility by identifying 12 actionable points on Care of Elders and Climate Change—and taking them directly to faith leaders for propagation through weekly sermons across religions.
As part of Value Education, students from participating schools underwent an intensive learning process that included expert lectures, social science–based field studies, stakeholder interactions, and training in social advocacy. Through this structured engagement, students examined real-world challenges, identified practical solutions, and learned how to seek redress by engaging officials, elected representatives, and faith leaders.
12 Actionable Points Proposed by Students
Care of Elders – 5 Key Actions
- Spending quality time with elders
- Ensuring respect and dignity for elders
- Fulfilling elders’ physical and emotional needs
- Supporting elders living alone
- Formation of senior citizens’ groups in community centres and places of worship for regular social interaction
Climate Crisis – 7 Key Actions
- Say no to plastics
- Planting and protecting trees
- Avoiding wastage of water
- Saving energy
- Promoting public transport, cycling, and carpooling to reduce air pollution
- Offering drinking water to gig workers and delivery personnel
- Spreading awareness through posters, rallies, and video messages
Faith Leaders Join Hands for Awareness Campaign
Students prepared formal representations on these 12 Actionable Points and presented them to prominent faith leaders, including Archbishop Antony Prince Panengadan, Mr. Vithal Rao Arya of Arya Samaj, Maulana Mohammed Amer of Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Hind, Rev. Dr. T. Bhasker of CSI Wesley Church, and Mr. Mohammed Azheruddin of Jamaat-e-Islami.
The students requested that these points be shared with priests, imams, and preachers for dissemination through weekly sermons in Satsangs, Masjids, and Churches. All faith leaders appreciated the student-led initiative and agreed to circulate the messages through their respective faith networks, potentially reaching hundreds of congregations across Telangana.
Plastic-Free School: Students Turn Advocacy into Action
Inspired by the “No to Plastic” action point, students of Sharada Vidyalaya, Falaknuma, approached their school principal with a proposal to declare the campus a Plastic-Free Zone. Accepting the students’ request, the principal issued a circular banning plastic bottles, bags, and wrapping materials within the school premises—demonstrating how student advocacy can lead to immediate institutional change.
Scaling Up Across Telangana
Recognising the transformative potential of the Compassionate Citizenship Program, the Education Department of the Government of Telangana has formally integrated it into the school curriculum as part of Value Education. Through an MoU with COVA, the program is set to be scaled up to 3,000 schools across the state.
A total of 28 schools from Hyderabad participated in the Annual Project Works Display Program, where students showcased their research and advocacy efforts and were awarded prizes for outstanding presentations.
Tribute to COVA Peace Network Leaders
The Annual Project Works Display Program was dedicated to the memory of Mr. Egbert Samraj, Dr. Anand Raj Varma, Mr. Omim Maneckshaw Debara, Ms. Naheed Banu, and Sardar Nanak Singh Nishtar—former Presidents of the COVA Peace Network, whose leadership over the past three decades helped shape COVA into a beacon of peace, pluralism, and social engagement.
For more information, visit:
https://www.covanetwork.org/in-school-curriculum