ITANAGAR, Mar 26: In a landmark initiative for the state, Kamsa Dramatics Society (KDS) successfully conducted Arunachal Pradesh’s first-ever theatre-based anti-ragging awareness workshop, introducing a creative and participatory approach to addressing ragging among school students.
The workshop was held from 11th February to 26th March, led by Paalin Kabak, in collaboration with the Department of Education, Government of Arunachal Pradesh.
The initiative was conducted across 10 districts of Arunachal Pradesh—Shi Yomi, Leparada, Tirap, East Siang, Dibang Valley, Lower Subansiri, Kamle, Pakke Kessang, Tawang, and Itanagar Capital Complex—covering multiple schools in each district. Approximately 1,000 students actively participated in the workshop.
The workshop aimed to raise awareness about ragging and its harmful effects, encourage students to express themselves freely, and promote a safe and respectful school environment.
Each session was designed as a one-day intensive workshop using theatre-based techniques, including interactive exercises, theatre games, theme-oriented drawings, role-play and performance modules, and group discussions. This unique methodology enabled students to engage with the issue in an experiential and reflective manner, moving beyond conventional lecture-based formats.
Students were guided to understand and identify the cycle of ragging and recognize key roles in such situations—victim, perpetrator, silent observer, and upstander. They were encouraged to reflect on their own roles, develop the confidence to speak up, and form peer support groups to build a safe and supportive environment within their schools.
During the sessions, Paalin Kabak emphasized that parents should carefully consider sending children to hostels at a very early age, as it can affect their emotional well-being and ability to express themselves. He further highlighted that school hostels should not be treated merely as a convenient arrangement to distance children from home, but as spaces of collaboration between families and institutions to nurture a responsible and emotionally strong generation.
Kamsa Dramatics Society expressed its gratitude to Amjad Tak, Commissioner, Department of Education, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, for the opportunity to conduct the workshop, and looks forward to expanding the initiative to the remaining districts of Arunachal Pradesh in the future.
