उपराज्यपाल, दिल्ली
Mayor of MCD, Shri Pravesh Wahi Ji,
CEO & Secretary General, PHDCCI, Dr. Ranjeet Mehta Ji,
Distinguished guests on the dais, eminent educationists, school leaders, experts, representatives from government and industry
Education, is about creating an environment, where young minds can learn, grow, and realise, their potential. This process cannot happen, without a fundamental sense, of security. A school is not, merely a physical structure; it is a space, where children spend, the most formative years, of their lives.
As Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji has said, "Education is not merely, a means of livelihood, but a powerful medium, to make life better." This vision, can only be realised, when every child, has the opportunity to learn, in a safe and nurturing environment. Ensuring that schools, are safe, inclusive, and resi-lient, is therefore, not only an adminis-trative responsibility, but a larger societal commit-ment.
The meaning of school safety, has evolved significantly. Earlier, discussions focused, largely on physical infra-structure, fire preparedness, and emergency response. While these remain critical, safety today also includes, cyber security, mental well-being, transportation safety, and the capacity to respond effectively, to unforeseen situations.
As India moves towards the vision, of Viksit Bharat by 2047, educational institutions, will play a central role, in shaping the citizens, who will lead the country, in the decades ahead. Schools must, therefore be centres, not only of academic excellence, but also of responsibility, and preparedness.
A safe learning environment, contributes directly, to the quality of education. When students feel secure, they learn with confidence; teachers perform more effectively; parents place, greater trust in institutions; and schools can focus, on nurturing responsible citizens. Safety, therefore, is one of the essential foundations, of education.
Delhi, as the National Capital, carries a unique responsibility, in this regard. With its dense urban environment, diverse population, and nationally important institutions, it requires, a comprehensive and forward-looking approach, towards school safety, and resi-lience.
One of the significant outcomes of today's Summit is, the launch of, the National Model School Safety Toolkit. Such frameworks, help institutions move beyond, a reactive approach, and adopt a culture, of preventive preparedness. Safety must be embedded, in the daily functioning, planning, and governance, of every educational institution.
School leaders should view safety, not merely, as a regulatory requirement, but as an integral part of institutional leadership. A strong safety culture, requires regular safety audits, emergency preparedness plans, periodic mock drills, trained staff, informed students, and close coordination, among schools, government agencies, and local communities.
Technology, will increasingly become, an important enabler, of safer schools. Digital monitoring systems, early warning mechanisms, data-driven risk assessment, and cyber awareness programmes can strengthen institutional capabilities. At the same time, technology must be complemented, by human preparedness, because ultimately safety, is created by responsible people, effective systems, and committed leadership.
The challenge before us, is not merely to respond effectively, when emergencies occur, but to build, a lasting culture of prevention. The strongest institutions, are those that anticipate, risks, prepare systematically, and continuously strengthen, their practices. Achieving this requires, sustained collaboration among government agencies, educational institutions, industry partners, experts, parents, and civil society.
As we also commemorate, the 100th year of the martyrdom of Sardar Teja Singh Samundri, my grandfather, we pay tribute to a visionary leader, who worked tirelessly to advance, the ideals of education, equality, youth empowerment and democratic participation. He promoted education, as an instrument of social transformation, establishing 4 schools at Sarhali as early as 1917 and at Lyallpur (now Faisalabad).
Far ahead of his time, he championed greater participation of women, in public life, and played a pioneering role, in securing voting rights for women, in the elections to SGPC in 1926. This historic reform enabled, Sikh women to exercise their democratic rights, two years before, women in the United Kingdom, were granted equal voting rights in 1928, underscoring his progressive vision, and enduring commitment to equality, inclusive institutions, and women's empowerment.
Deeply committed to public causes, he devoted his personal resources, to supporting educational initiatives, institutions, publications and public causes, placing service, above personal interest. His contemporary, the renowned distinguished scholar Professor Ruchi Ram Sahni, wrote, "I do not have words to express my admiration for S. Teja Singh Samundri. He was a born organiser, a leader of men and a leader to run movements," and also described him, as a man of "remarkably keen and sound judgement" who stood "like a rock" on matters of principle.
True to those ideals, Sardar Teja Singh Samundri refused conditional release from prison, choosing principles over personal liberty, and ultimately attained martyrdom in Lahore Central Jail on 17 July 1926, at the age of just 43 years. As we strive to build safer schools, his enduring commitment to education, equality, sound judgement, moral courage and selfless service, remains a timeless source of inspiration.
Let this Summit, reaffirm our shared commitment, to ensuring that every school, becomes a place, where children learn without fear, develop confidence, and prepare for the opportunities, and challenges, of the future. Together, we can build an education system, that is not only academically excellent, but also safe and secure.
Thank you.
Jai Hind.