As part of the school’s continued commitment to child safety and holistic development, Loreto Convent Tara Hall, Shimla, hosted two highly interactive and impactful Safe Touch awareness sessions on campus today. These sessions were conducted by Kalpana Sharma, an educator currently serving at Rajghat Besant School, Krishnamurti Foundation of India, and a proud alumna of Tara Hall.
Welcomed warmly by Principal Reetu Khanna, Kalpana Sharma returned to her alma mater with a strong sense of purpose—to equip young students with essential knowledge about body autonomy, personal boundaries, and the power of saying “No” to inappropriate behavior. These sessions were conducted as a heartfelt tribute to her late mother, Usha Sharma, an eminent educator and founder of BSN School, Shimla.
The first session, aimed at middle school students (Grades 6 to 8), focused on recognizing safe and unsafe touch. Sharma also addressed important issues surrounding adolescence and body awareness. Students were introduced to the National Childline number 1098 and a valuable resource—Menstrupedia
which offers age-appropriate, culturally sensitive information on growing up. The session fostered open dialogue, with students asking thought-provoking questions and engaging deeply with the content. The emphasis was on understanding personal rights, drawing boundaries, and becoming respectful and responsible upstanders.
The second session, tailored for primary students (Grades 2 to 5), introduced these concepts in a gentle, age-appropriate manner. Children learned the importance of identifying private parts, distinguishing between appropriate and inappropriate touch, and practicing assertive responses like saying a firm “No.” Teachers also enacted simple daily-life scenarios to help students understand how to respond in real-life situations and seek help from trusted adults.
Both sessions were well-received, offering children a safe space to learn, ask, and express. The program successfully conveyed vital life skills in a relatable and child-friendly format.
Principal Reetu Khanna extended heartfelt gratitude to Kalpana Sharma for her dedication and generosity in offering these sessions free of cost as a tribute to her late mother.
