Union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar interacted with school students at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre during the programme 'The Fifth Space – Where Education Meets Responsibility' in New Delhi on August 24, 2026. The Minister emphasized the importance of listening to younger generations and understanding their concerns in the rapidly changing digital environment, advocating for engagement with understanding rather than criticism of technology use.
The programme was organized by the National Commission for Women in collaboration with DAIC, UNESCO New Delhi, and Mount Abu Public School. Dr. Kumar highlighted the need for strong emotional connections between students, parents, and teachers to enable young people to seek guidance when facing difficulties. He stressed recognizing individual strengths, aspirations, and needs of every child, moving from 'Vision To Insight' (Drishti Se Antardrishti Ki Aur).
The concept of the 'Fifth Space' was discussed as representing the convergence of home, school, culture, society, citizenship, knowledge, and the digital world. The Minister emphasized that technology must be accompanied by ethics, responsibility, and sound judgment, particularly for young people in digital environments. The interaction allowed students to raise questions and share perspectives directly with the Minister, who encouraged them to remain curious, responsible, and conscious of their role in shaping India's future.
Distinguished speakers including Dr. Sanjeev Sharma (Member Secretary, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights), Dr. Jyoti Arora (Principal, Mount Abu Public School), and Vijaya Kishore Rahat (Chairperson, National Commission for Women) deliberated on child rights, safety, gender equality, human dignity, digital responsibility, and responsible citizenship. The event aimed to bridge generational gaps through dialogue, empathy, and mutual understanding, ensuring education prepares youth for both academic success and responsible citizenship.