Photo Courtesy: nenews
Shillong: Six student delegations from Assam Rifles Public Schools and Army Public Schools met in Shillong on Wednesday. They gathered at the Rai Auditorium for the Bystander Debate 2026. Assam Rifles Public School, Laitkor, organized the event. It stems from Project Empathy in partnership with Assam Rifles Public Schools.
The debate challenged students from Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, Assam, and Meghalaya. They explored how to handle bullying, harm, and injustice. The goal is simple. Move from passive bystanders to responsible upstanders. Students learned to pick safe ways to support others during times of trouble.
The final round featured two intense segments. The first argued that silence is just as harmful as the bullying itself. The second tackled social media, claiming it has amplified the bystander effect. Organizers pushed students to analyze the psychological factors that stop people from helping others. The event emphasized the initiative's core message: "Notice. Care. Act."
Students built evidence-based arguments and practiced respectful disagreement. They focused on the real-world consequences of action and inaction. Project Empathy founder Vibha Lakhera spoke on the initiative's future. Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera, Director General of Assam Rifles, attended as chief guest. Educators hope the students bring these lessons into their classrooms and digital spaces.
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