Margadarshak Programme Completes 10 Years, Recertifies 41 Community Volunteers

Hyderabad: A milestone celebration brought together the Cyberabad Police and the Society for Cyberabad Security Council (SCSC) to recognise 10 years of the Margadarshak programme and formally recertify 41 trained volunteers. The occasion saw the consolidation of two volunteer networks—Margadarshak and Sangamitra—into a single integrated platform, Margadarshak – Your Buddy in Distress 3.0, aimed at bolstering community support mechanisms for individuals navigating emotional, social, personal and cyber-related difficulties.

The recertification gathering drew together volunteers from successive cohorts, SCSC member representatives, residential welfare associations, leadership from SCSC, and law enforcement officials. Throughout the event, participants underwent refresher training covering empathetic communication techniques, psychological first response protocols, women's safety measures, cyber safety awareness, legal knowledge and information about available support referral systems.

Cyberabad Police Commissioner M. Ramesh, IPS, addressed the assembled volunteers, emphasising their crucial role as initial responders for individuals encountering hardship. He urged them to maintain accessibility and compassion while offering counsel and reassurance to those seeking help.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police overseeing the Women and Child Safety Wing, K. Srujana, underscored the growing significance of collaborative efforts between community members and police forces. She noted that certified volunteers serve as essential bridges connecting vulnerable individuals with appropriate assistance and resources.

The consolidation marks a significant transition for the initiative. By bringing together previously separate volunteer networks under one coordinated structure, organisers aim to establish a comprehensive platform of trained community members capable of delivering meaningful intervention and support across varied circumstances.

Leadership from the SCSC Executive Committee—including Venkata Seshu, Vanitha Datla, Ragu Kannan and Nag Challa—reflected on the programme's journey over the past decade and acknowledged the dedication of volunteers who have functioned as reliable support figures within their respective communities and professional environments.

The initiative benefited from the backing of SCSC Chief Executive Officer Naved Alam Khan and the strategic direction of Rashmi Srivastava, both instrumental in fostering the programme's expansion. Event coordination was managed by SCSC volunteers Vishnupriya Saksena, Padmapriya Chalamakuri, Shalini Singireddy and Sonia Sahgal. Pratyusha Sharma received special recognition for her work advancing community engagement through the SCSC Women's Forum.

Over the past decade, programme participants have provided substantive support to numerous individuals through guidance, resource connections and responsive assistance. As the initiative progresses into its second decade, both the SCSC and Cyberabad Police have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding volunteer participation and fostering values centred on mutual care, community strength and shared responsibility.