New Delhi, 24 August 2026
Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar, interacted with school students at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre (DAIC), New Delhi, today, during the programme “The Fifth Space – Where Education Meets Responsibility.” The programme was organised by the National Commission for Women (NCW) in collaboration with DAIC, UNESCO New Delhi and Mount Abu Public School.
Interacting with the young students, the Union Minister emphasised the importance of listening to the younger generation, understanding their concerns and creating an environment where they feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and challenges. He highlighted that the rapidly changing digital environment requires parents, teachers and institutions to engage with young people with understanding rather than simply criticising their use of technology.
Dr. Virendra Kumar emphasised the importance of maintaining strong emotional connections between students, parents and teachers, enabling young people to seek guidance and support when facing difficulties. He also highlighted the importance of recognising the individual strengths, aspirations and needs of every child. Today, our Hon’ble Minister spoke about moving from vision to insight (Drishti se antardrishti ki aur) – from merely seeing things to understanding them deeply and meaningfully
The Minister spoke about the concept of the “Fifth Space”, which represents the convergence of home, school, culture, society, citizenship, knowledge and the digital world. He stressed that technology must be accompanied by ethics, responsibility and sound judgement, particularly among young people growing up in an increasingly digital environment.
The interaction provided students an opportunity to raise questions and share their perspectives directly with the Union Minister. The Minister encouraged the students to remain curious, responsible and conscious of their role in shaping the future of the country.
The programme also witnessed deliberations on child rights, safety, gender equality, human dignity, digital responsibility and responsible citizenship by distinguished speakers, including Dr. Sanjeev Sharma, Member Secretary, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR); Dr. Jyoti Arora, Principal, Mount Abu Public School; and Vijaya Kishore Rahat, Chairperson, National Commission for Women.
The interaction between the Union Minister and the students highlighted the importance of bridging the generational gap through dialogue, empathy and mutual understanding, while ensuring that education prepares young people not only for
academic success but also for responsible and dignified citizenship.
