“Kabhi-kabhi, sabse bade badlav ek chhote se ‘haan’ se shuru hote hain.”
When the idea of organising a Safe and Unsafe Touch workshop in my own neighbourhood first came to me last April, I was hesitant. “ Shayad log nahi aayenge…kya wo samjhege?”- a hundred doubts circled in my mind. But deep down, I knew that if even a handful of children learned something valuable that day, it would all be worth it.
With that quiet hope, I began planning. I decided that if 20 to 25 children attended, the session would have a truly meaningful impact. To make that happen, I went door to door- sometimes myself, and sometimes by sending my mother- speaking to nearly 20-25 families in our area. We explained why conversations about body safety are important, and why children need to know the difference between safe and unsafe touch.
Some people refused. Some didn’t take it seriously. But a few listened- and they understood. And that understanding was enough to bring 17 to 18 children together on the day of the workshop.
At first, it wasn’t easy. The room buzzed with energy and chatter, and getting the children to focus felt like a challenge. But then, story time began- and with it, a magical silence settled. Curious eyes fixed on me, small hands stopped fidgeting, and eager minds started absorbing
every word. We spoke about boundaries, about courage, about how “ tumhara shareer tumhara hai”- your body belongs to you, and you have every right to protect it. Slowly, their innocent questions turned into thoughtful reflections. They listened, they learned, and they understood.
Even today, when I walk through the lanes and see them playing, they run up to me with a smile and say, “ Aapne humein woh waali class di thi!” And every time, my heart swells with quiet pride- because that one small step left a mark that stayed. If that day I had said to myself, “Rehne do, nahi ho paayega…kon itne gharon me baat karega”, maybe those children would never have learned something so crucial. But I didn’t stop- and that made all the difference.
“Badlav hamesha bade manch se nahi shuru hota… kabhi-kabhi, vo aangan ke kone se, ek kahani se, ek chhoti si himmat se shuru hota hai.” And this was my small step- one that taught me that no effort is ever too small when it’s for a child’s safety.
– Nimaan- a believer in ‘chhote kadam, bade badlav’