National Adolescent Peer Summit 2024

On December 20th and 21st, 2024, The Indian School proudly participated in the National Adolescent Peer Summit, a collaborative initiative between CBSE and Expressions India. Held annually at the National Bal Bhawan, the summit aims to promote awareness of mental health and well being among adolescents. This year, Ms Meghna Joshi ( School Counsellor) led a team of students, including peer mentors Ashwin Malhotra (XI-B), Adrita Sanyal Biswas (XI-E), Samiya Batra (XI-E), Astha Chaudhary (XI-B), and volunteers Akankshya Samanta Singhar (XI-D), Palakdeep Kaur Sabharwal (XI-D), Zuha Harris (XI-E) and Dhruvie J. Jain (XI-D), who together contributed to the event’s success.

Day 1: Redefining Identity and Building Mental Health Awareness

Morning Session
The first day began early with registration at the National Bal Bhawan at 8:15 AM, followed by an energetic start as schools from across India set up their stalls. The Indian School’s stall, entitled “The Identity Equation – Balancing Crisis, Discovery and Capital” was centred around Erik Erikson's theory of identity crisis. The stall moved beyond conventional psychological theory, exploring the evolving nature of personal identity, especially in the light of contemporary challenges like shifting career options and societal pressures. Through interactive activities such as vision boarding, the JAM (Just a Minute) experiment, and expressive arts, the stall encouraged students, teachers, and counsellors to engage in meaningful conversations about how identity is shaped by both personal discovery and external influences.

Afternoon Session
In the afternoon, The Indian School choir, led by our music teachers, Mr Sanjeev Kumar Chaudhary and Ms Nidhi Khanna, presented the Saraswati Vandana, followed by an inspiring song to welcome the chief guest, Shri Himanshu Gupta, IAS, Secretary CBSE. In his address, Shri Gupta emphasised the need for a robust mental health curriculum in schools—one that moves beyond superficial engagement and is deeply integrated in the educational framework. He also stressed the importance of inclusivity for students with special needs. The presence of Principal Ms Tania Joshi, further motivated the participants and showcased the School’s strong commitment to student empowerment.

The first day concluded at 4:30 PM after a variety of engaging events and competitions that saw participation from schools across NCR and the rest of the country.

Day 2: Debates, Workshops, and Technology Discourse

Morning Session

The second day began with a brief breakfast followed by Yuva Sansad, the Youth Parliament, in which The Indian School took on a leading role as the host institution. This student-led session focused on pressing policy issues, including mental health, education reforms, and women’s safety. Students from various schools participated in intense debates, offering their perspectives on the challenges faced by today’s youth. This was followed by the Samvedna workshop where school counsellors and mental health professionals discussed emotional well being and the challenges of supporting students in school settings. Adrita (XI-E) represented our School at this insightful session, contributing her thoughts on nurturing mental health in educational environments.

Afternoon Session

Post-lunch, Samiya (XI-E) took part in the Manovriti, a movie-making competition, where students explored themes of mental health and adolescence through the creative media. The afternoon session became particularly lively with the appearance of Rajat Sharma, well known journalist and host of the tv show, Aap Ki Adalat. Mr Sharma captivated the audience with his reflections on the dual nature of AI and technology—highlighting their potential to empower but also their ability to exploit psychological vulnerabilities, such as in cases of cyber fraud and online misinformation. In a fun twist, students hosted the Kishoron Ki Adalat segment, turning the tables on Sharma as they asked him questions about the issues that matter most to their generation.

The summit wrapped up with a final valedictory ceremony, during which Ms Neeti Shankar Sharma, Deputy Secretary of Media and PR at CBSE, delivered a vote of thanks, bringing the two-day event to a successful close.

Conclusion

The National Adolescent Peer Summit 2024 proved to be an invaluable experience for the students of The Indian School. Through participation in thought-provoking debates, creative workshops, and engaging activities, they contributed to an important dialogue on mental health, identity, and the impact of technology on young people. The event not only empowered the students to reflect on their personal growth but also inspired them to advocate for mental health awareness and inclusion in their communities. This summit marked a significant milestone in our School’s ongoing commitment to student welfare and holistic development.