Organized by the Social Service Committee, Pillai Institute of Management Studies & Research (PiMSR)
In collaboration with CRY – Child Rights and You
Date: 23rd September 2025
Venue: Conclave I, 3rd Floor
As part of the 100 Marks Social Relevance Project, the Social Service Committee of Pillai Institute of Management Studies & Research (PiMSR) collaborated with CRY – Child Rights and You to conduct the Cyber Smart Heroes Training Session on 23rd September 2025 at Conclave I. This initiative aimed to sensitize and train second-year MMS students to become effective youth volunteers who can educate school children about the importance of cyber safety and responsible digital behavior.
The session was attended by the eminent faculty coordinators of MMS second year. Dr. Krushna R Sawant began the session by addressing the students and highlighting the purpose behind the Social Relevance Project. She explained how this initiative is designed not only to fulfill academic requirements but also to instill values such as volunteerism, empathy, and humility in young management students. She emphasized that engaging with real-world social issues helps students grow into more responsible and aware professionals. Following this, Dr. Sawant welcomed Ms. Pallavi Yedekar, the resource person for the session, to begin the workshop.
Ms. Pallavi Yedekar commenced the session by stressing the ethical responsibilities and safety protocols that volunteers must strictly follow. She referred to the official guidelines that must be adhered to while working with children and emphasized the importance of ensuring a secure and respectful environment during school visits. She then introduced herself and underscored the growing importance of sensitizing children about digital dangers in today’s tech-driven world.
In the next segment, Ms. Yedekar outlined detailed instructions for volunteers, particularly related to their first school visits. She stressed the need to seek prior permission and follow structured procedures before engaging with students. She also highlighted four key soft skills required for delivering effective training to school children: communication, public speaking, convincing ability, and patience. She encouraged students to adopt an interactive and example-driven teaching style that uses live, relatable, and personalized scenarios to enhance understanding and engagement.
A major focus of the session was the training on Cyber Threats, where Ms. Yedekar elaborated on six major digital threats commonly faced by children today. Each topic was explained in detail, along with practical steps for prevention. The cyber threats discussed included:
- Identity Theft
- Phishing
- Cyberbullying
- Cheating in Online Spaces
- Online Grooming
- Cyber Trafficking
The training was thoughtfully structured to be interactive, engaging, and meaningful, preparing students to confidently carry forward this knowledge to school children in their outreach sessions. The workshop concluded with a powerful reminder about the urgent need to protect children in the digital world and the pivotal role that youth volunteers can play in this mission.
Dr. Krushna R Sawant delivered the Vote of Thanks, appreciating Ms. Yedekar’s expert guidance and applauding the active and enthusiastic participation of the students.
The session left a lasting impact on the attendees, equipping them with both knowledge and confidence to act as Cyber Smart Heroes. They are now better prepared to carry out cyber safety training in schools, using practical tools and real-life examples to educate children effectively.
Key Takeaways:
- Students are now well-equipped to conduct school-based cyber safety sessions.
- Emphasis was placed on using interactive and relatable teaching methods.
- Participants gained a clear understanding of six key cyber threats and strategies for prevention.
Overall, the event was highly impactful, insightful, and empowering, successfully preparing the next generation of socially responsible management professionals to contribute meaningfully toward a safer digital future for India’s children.
