Ojass Takhte Trust conducts sessions on ‘Mindfulness: The Real Me vs. The Screen Me – Understanding Our Digital Selves’ in various schools across Gurugram, Manesar, Sohna and other subdivisions.

The sessions conducted in schools followed an interactive and child/teen-centred pattern designed to promote healthy screen habits and digital mindfulness among students. Each session was structured to combine learning with participation, ensuring that children and youth could relate the discussions to their own daily screen experiences. The workshops began with a warm welcome and icebreaker activities to build rapport and introduce the goals of the session. Students were then guided through discussions on different types of screen use—educational, recreational, and social media—and informed about recommended screen-time guidelines for their age groups.

Through engaging presentations developed by experts from Ojass Takhte Trust and real-life examples, volunteers as facilitators highlighted the physical, psychological, and social consequences of excessive screen exposure, such as eye strain, sleep disturbance, attention difficulties, and reduced interpersonal interactions. Participants then explored strategies for balanced digital use, including creating tech-free zones, scheduling breaks, prioritising physical activity, and practising mindfulness.

Further, group discussions encouraged students to express their ideas and co-create “Healthy Screen Habits” suited to their lifestyles. The workshops also included focused discussions on the role of families and schools in shaping responsible digital behaviour, emphasising the importance of open communication, consistent boundaries, and collective responsibility in managing technology use.

Each session concluded with a Q&A segment, followed by an “Action Commitment” exercise, where students pledged one personal change to improve their digital habits.

The training model successfully blended education, self-reflection, and practical strategies—empowering students to become mindful, responsible, and balanced digital citizens.

Volunteer with Ojass!
Ojass applauds students from NorthCap University who have volunteered as facilitators for cascading the message under this project. Ojass welcomes other college students to join and volunteer and can give back to society, build their portfolio, and earn community service work hours meaningfully through social impact projects.

Continuing its observance of World Mental Health Day, Ojass Takhte Trust organised a Standathon on October 11 at Huda City Centre Metro Station—one of the busiest transit hubs in Delhi NCR—to further spread awareness on the theme “Zero Net Hour: Being Mindful.”

The event drew enthusiastic participation from seventy youth volunteers of The NorthCap University, embodying the energy and social consciousness of Gen Z—the responsible citizens and changemakers of tomorrow.

The volunteers stood in solidarity, holding placards with thoughtful messages encouraging commuters to pause, reflect, and embrace mindfulness in their daily lives, reinforcing the campaign’s call to disconnect from screens and reconnect with self-awareness and real-world connections.

Volunteer with Ojass!
Students interested in giving back to society, building their portfolio, and earning community service work hours meaningfully through social impact projects are welcome.

“An animal’s eyes have the power to speak a great language.” – Martin Buber

Yes, they do. But, how many of us listen? It is easy for some of us to harm animals, thinking they lack the intelligence to understand or feel pain. To make it worse, many of us ignore animal suffering entirely because we are unsure how to help. So, unfortunately, knowingly or unknowingly, we end up empowering the abusers.

While there are penalties and punishments for animal cruelty, they are challenging to invoke and even for the most heinous form of animal abuse, the penalty is a measly INR 50. However, there are other consequences for abusers, such as a permanent criminal record and a history of their crime that follows them everywhere in Digital India, the fact that most offences amounting to cruelty under the Prevention of Cruelty Act 1960 are not cognizable (other than animal fights, shooting animals & injecting harmful chemicals), which prevents the law enforcement agencies from taking immediate action. Additionally, even after conviction, the offenders are let off by paying a penalty of Rs 50, the penalty prescribed under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. The penalties under this Act, which start from Rs 10 to Rs 50 for a first-time offender and Rs 100 for a repeat offender, have not been revised in the past 60 years and have long since become ineffective in deterring animal cruelty.

In a bid to change this and to strengthen the #NoMore50 campaign, Astitva Animal Rights Enforcement and Voice of Views (VOV), the online publishing platform of Takhte Writers & Publishers, commences #NoMore50 Photo Story campaign for raising voice for having stronger laws that do not allow perpetrators of crimes against animals to get away with a fine of merely Rs 50.

Kindness, compassion, and empathy are essential values and can help young people fight for animals. We need to help them in finding their voices so that animal abuse is made a cognizable offence punishable with stringent laws, and to do just that, through our campaign, we aim to sensitize young minds towards what animals go through and provide them with a platform to step up and raise their voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.

We invite you to share a photo story about coexistence with animals as part of the campaign.

Contest on: 24 December 2021 – 23 January 2022
Open to: Young Minds aged 11-24 across India

Terms & Conditions: Photo should be original/ unpublished and self-clicked (high res); supported with an intriguing story of 30-40 words. Please note the organisers’ reserve the right to use photo-story in their future works.

Attractions:

• Three winners will receive books worth Rs2500/- from Takhte Writers & Publishers on the decision of the jury
• 20 best stories will receive an Appreciation E-Certificate
• Winning photo stories will be published on VOV and promoted on social media handles of the organisers

Email entries to – nomore50contest@gmail.com