Interaction at the Delhi Police headquarters

There is nothing more important than being able to communicate in order to better understand and help someone."

Rewa Upadhyay (XI-A), Falak Rahi (XII-E), Sejal Gupta (XII-A), Manya Arora (XII-B), and S. Elakkiya (XI-E) of The Indian School, along with their teacher representative Ms Aarushi Rawat, visited the Delhi Police headquarters on 12 April 2023, for an interaction on Online Safety and Bridging the Generation Divide.

At the venue, the group was warmly greeted by Inspector Ravikant from PRO, ACP Rajender Singh Bisht and ACP Ranjay Atrishya. In contrast to the stern demeanour the police usually on display, the officers were cordial and interactive. We in return, interacted with them keeping our apprehensions and fear at bay!

The officers displayed patience and graciousness as they heard student opinions and perspectives about the general image of the police, along with suggestions on how the police department can communicate with the young generation more effectively.

The students were made aware about various ways in which people are scammed on social media. They were shown a video about an online shopping scam and were asked to review it. Most of the students were of the opinion that the video lacked content that the young generation can relate to. A significant number of comments on the video included mentioning loopholes in the storyline. The young critiques also pointed out that the logo of the police department used in the video was almost transparent, making it difficult for the viewers to differentiate it from an advertisement. The officers readily accepted and appreciated the feedback given by the visitors.

Talking about the relations between the youth and the police, the students said there certainly exists a lack of trust and a communication gap. They added that the police are depicted in a negative light by the media, making them look like people filled with aggression and corruption. This depiction makes trusting the police rather difficult for the common man, especially the younger generation. The officers agreed, saying they were determined to break that image. Great relief came to the officers in the form of a unanimous appreciation by their guests, for their cordial behaviour and their willingness to carry out their duties and services honestly and efficiently.

The interaction came as an eye-opener for the students, allowing them to understand the stereotypes about the police department that exist in our society. In a span of two hours, the children engaged in an amiable discussion and received great hospitality.

It was an unforgettable experience that taught us that we should not believe in stereotypes and always keep communication channels open to know the truth before forming opinions.

The group returned to School with a great sense of relief and a changed perspective.