On 30 April 2025, Breaking Barriers conducted a sensitization session at Adventures Overland, a leading travel company known for its immersive road trips across countries and cultures. The session aimed to foster awareness on unconscious bias, inclusive behaviour, and the value of diversity. The participants participated wholeheartedly, sharing personal stories and engaging in thoughtful discussions. Through interactive activities and real-life examples, the session created a safe space for dialogue and reflection. The session marked a significant step towards fostering a culture of respect and empathy, essential in various professional environments. Breaking Barriers remains committed to extending such efforts to more institutions, promoting acceptance and equality in every sphere of society.
On 7 February 2025, The Missing Links Organization hosted a pivotal panel discussion and round table conference at The Grand Hotel, New Delhi, focusing on preventing child abuse and trafficking. The event included government officials, NGOs, legal experts, social workers, academics, and student representatives, including our student Sonakshi Sharma of Class XI. Discussions emphasised the 4C’s Framework: Children, Caregivers, Community, and Child Protection Ecosystem Stakeholders. The panel highlighted the essential role of educators as the first line of defence in child protection, stressing the importance of training teachers to respond sensitively to disclosures. The increasing risks children face online were also addressed, with a call for enhanced digital literacy. Sonakshi shared her experiences with online safety challenges, advocating for student-led initiatives to foster a supportive school environment. The conference underscored the need for multi-sectoral partnerships to create safer spaces for children.
On 18 January 2025 our school hosted Katghara: An Open Debate Competition, organised by the Rotaract Club of Delhi Elite RID 3011 in collaboration with the schools Interact Club. The event brought together students from 12 schools and colleges for a spirited two-tier debate. Tishya Chandok, President of the Interact Club, highlighted the mission of the schools We Care programme during the opening ceremony. The debate showcased exceptional talent, with our school team, Yashaswi and Aditya Bahukhandi, securing the Runners-Up trophy. Tagore International School was commended as an eminent collaborator for its efforts in organising the event, and all Interact volunteers received Letters of Recommendation for their dedication and hard work. Katghara exemplified the schools commitment to enhancing critical thinking and public speaking skills among students.
On 18 January 2025, 25 students from We Care (the social service initiatives of our school) participated in Vibhinn—the LGBTQIA+ Fest at IIT Delhi, organised by Indradhanu. The theme, ‘Repairing Recognition,’ addressed misconceptions about inclusivity, intersectionality, and challenges in education. Sonakshi Sharma, President of Breaking Barriers, served as a panelist, enriching the discussions. Students gained insights into grassroots collectivisation and allyship, making the event an invaluable learning opportunity. This participation reflects the school’s dedication to fostering empathy, inclusivity and awareness in its students.
On 23 December 2024, Sehpaathi organised Virtuoso’24, a talent showcase for children from NGOs Jaagriti and Samarpan Foundation. The event celebrated diverse performances, including dance and music, judged by Ms Sujata Arora, Ms. Peehu Bhardawaj, and Ms. Maitreyee Bhattacharya. Chief Guest Ms N. Saroj praised the participants for their creativity and skill. The event encouraged and empowered the young performers, highlighting their potential while inspiring others to explore their own abilities. Virtuoso’24 was a meaningful celebration of the talent and determination in every child, no matter what the background.
On 13 December 2024, students from the Breaking Barriers campaign visited the Naz Foundation as part of a sari donation drive to support the transgender community. Each sari, lovingly selected and gifted by the teachers, came with a handwritten message from the donor, conveying respect, encouragement, and solidarity. The gesture aimed to provide not just material support but also a sense of dignity and pride to the recipients. The visit was marked by emotional interactions with this neglected and misunderstood community. Members of the community shared their stories, inspiring empathy and understanding. Their gratitude and the joy underscored the impact of this thoughtful initiative, reminding us of the profound power of compassion and small acts of kindness.
On 27 November 2024, our students visited The Blind Bake Garden Café in Hauz Khas as part of their We Care initiative and the Eyecan Project. Supported by the National Association for the Blind (NAB), this remarkable café provides culinary training and practical life skills to visually impaired individuals, fostering their independence and empowerment. Students observed the café’s seamless operations and learned about its innovative training model, which integrates technical tools like screen readers and braille devices, as well as digital literacy. They also explored Ujjwala, a handicrafts shop run by visually impaired artisans, and participated in discussions on empowering individuals through skills in healthcare and creative arts. Contributing to this mission, the students presented a website they have developed to offer calming techniques for visually impaired individuals. This visit inspired students to advocate for inclusion, accessibility, and mental well-being with renewed determination.
On 25 October 2024, members of the many social outreach programmes of Tagore International School participated in an impactful event hosted by the Air Force Family Welfare Association (AFFWA). The team presented the goals of various school campaigns focused on social awareness, including Breaking Barriers, Flawless Flaws, and Saksham, which aim to foster inclusivity and community engagement. The event’s highlight was an inspiring play titled Ehsaas, performed by Team Awaam, the school’s theatre group. The play depicted the life of Lakshmi Tripathi, an influential transgender activist, and was met with enthusiastic engagement from the audience. This event showcased the school’s dedication to promoting essential social issues, sparking meaningful discussions on inclusivity among attendees.
On 15 October 2024, students from both branches of Tagore International School (Vasant Vihar and East of Kailash), part of the Breaking Barriers outreach program, visited the Naz Foundation to engage in an enriching dialogue about the queer community. Led by Mr. Sahil and other community members, the session focused on fostering understanding, addressing societal stigma, and creating safe spaces for marginalized groups. The interaction included personal stories from both sides, collaborative discussions on elevating the cause, and a ‘Superpositivity Exchange’ inspired by Mr. Vickrant Mahajan’s seminar. This visit reinforced our students’ commitment to inclusivity, with future workshops planned to promote greater awareness of LGBTQ+ issues within our school community.
On 10 October 2024, our students had the privilege of attending the International Day of the Girl Child event at the India Habitat Centre. Organized by Girl Up India and the High Commission of Canada, the event focused on empowering girls through education, health, and leadership. Notable speakers included Patrick Hébert, Deputy High Commissioner of Canada, and Prachi Shevgaonkar, founder of the Cool the Globe App, who delivered impactful opening addresses. Kanta Singh from UN Women addressed gender-based violence, while Mini Varghese from Nutrition International highlighted the importance of nutrition for adolescent health. The session concluded with some motivational remarks from Aditi Arora, Country Director of Girl Up India, and Ian Trites, First Secretary of Political Affairs at the High Commission of Canada. Our students were even more inspired to advocate for positive change in their communities.
