Hyderabad, April 3, 2025: The Project Works Display Program organized in Hyderabad showcased students’ research and initiatives on pressing social issues, including Climate Change: Concerns and Corrections; Eve Teasing: Problem and Remedies; Sensitivity and Care for the Differently Abled. The event, attended by prominent educationists and activists, highlighted the need for experiential learning and social advocacy to foster responsible and compassionate citizens.
Inculcating Values through Education
Speaking at the event, Prof. P.L.V. Rao, Member, Telangana Education Commission, emphasized the importance of education in fostering values of compassion, equality, equity, secularism, and harmony—all enshrined in the Indian Constitution. He stressed that no societal progress is possible without peace and harmony and that education should not only impart knowledge but also nurture creativity and imagination. Prof. Rao expressed hope that programs like the Compassionate Citizenship Program would be replicated across the country.
Mr. Zayaan Babukhan, Guest of Honour, lauded the Compassionate Citizenship Program for encouraging students to explore social issues beyond textbooks and classrooms. He noted that such initiatives address crucial yet often overlooked topics, making a significant impact on society.
Scaling Up the Compassionate Citizenship Program
Recognizing the potential of the Compassionate Citizenship Program developed by COVA, the Education Department of the Government of Telangana has integrated it into the Moral Education curriculum. The program is set to expand across 3,000 schools in Telangana, empowering students with experiential learning and social advocacy skills.
Students from government, private, and residential schools engaged in field studies, interacting with various stakeholders, including victims of eve teasing, the differently abled, and officers of SHE Teams. For climate change research, students interviewed senior citizens to understand water table depletion, encroachment on lakes, and rising climate extremes over the past 30 years.
Project Works and Awards
The event culminated in students preparing Project Work Reports, where they compiled findings from field visits, secondary sources, identified key problems, proposed solutions, and documented actions taken. The top 100 project works from 30 schools were exhibited, showcasing innovative solutions and social action.
Prominent speakers and activists, including Mr. Gufran Siddiqui (Peace Activist, Ayodhya), Ms. Nikita Naidu (Climate Activist), Ms. Amina Nilofer, Ms. Jyotirmaya Jandhyam (Gender Experts), Ms. Noor Jahan Siddiqui (Women’s Activist), Mr. Dhananjay, and Ms. Sumaira (Resource Persons for Differently Abled), addressed the students and distributed prizes and certificates.
Honoring COVA’s Legacy
The event was dedicated to the memory of Mr. Egbert Samraj, Dr. Anand Raj Varma, Mr. Omim Maneckshaw Debara, and Ms. Naheed Banu—former presidents of COVA Peace Network, who played a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s three-decade journey.
A Future of Socially Aware Citizens
Every year, students participating in the Compassionate Citizenship Program propose creative and practical solutions for the social issues they research. Their initiatives aim to drive policy changes, community engagement, and individual action.
