
Delhi students anxious after mock drill, schools & parents say sensitisation must: ‘Kids afraid when they're not prepared'
Across hundreds of Delhi schools, sirens, blackouts and lockdown routines on Wednesday played out as part of a government-mandated exercise in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam attack — but for many young children, the drills sparked anxiety more than awareness.
Parents and school principals, left to pick up the emotional pieces, now urge for more sensitive communication and preparation to help children process what they saw and felt.
Karan Aggarwal, whose daughter studies in Class 1 at Sardar Patel Vidyalaya, Lodhi Estate, said his daughter returned home after the drill, visibly shaken.
'Fight hone wali hain (There is going to be a fight) was all she could understand… She had coaxed me to go to Kashmir for summer vacations. I insisted, 'We cannot go… it is unsafe'. So, she realised something was wrong.'
Maintaining that confusion loomed heavily among parents in the lead-up to the mock drill, Aggarwal said 'sensitising children to emergencies is critical', especially keeping in mind their mental state.
After the mock drill, the school sent an email to all parents listing out useful techniques. (see box)
'The current environment has induced a state of vigilance, uncertainty and distress for all. While as adults, we are able to communicate, search for concrete information, and use our resources to calm ourselves, it is challenging for children to express feelings they have not felt before,' it stated.
'There is a sense of urgency being translated as worry to children,' it added.
The email also noted that sirens and blackouts, though necessary, left 'young children with many unanswered questions'. Informing that the school authorities 'sensed children's anxiety and tried to address it through reassuring conversations', it suggested that the parents should exercise caution.
The mother of a 7-year-old daughter studying at Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Vidya Mandir (SSRVM) in Noida also shared deep reservations. 'Unfortunately, the drill had a noticeable negative impact on my daughter's mental well-being, and as a parent, it is deeply concerning,' she said.
A senior official from the SSRVM administration told The Indian Express that at least three complaints have been received from parents about how their children had reacted to the mock drill. 'We are providing counselling to those children. The students were briefed by the principal and also by their respective class teacher,' the official said, adding that they had not sent any prior notice to parents about the drill.
Salil Bhatia from South Delhi, whose two children study in Class 2 and Class 4 at Delhi Public School, East of Kailash, said 'communication is the key'. He said that while no official intimation about the mock drill was sent to parents from the school, the responsibility of keeping one's children up-to-date falls on the parents, which should be part of their 'normal routine conversations'.
Early Wednesday, Bhatia had switched on the TV and showed his children scenes of the Indian Armed Forces striking 9 sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, as they launched 'Operation Sindoor'.
'I deliberately switched on the TV when my children were getting ready for school. I told them… 'We (the Indian government) have to fight the terrorists. They are bad people',' he said.
To Bhatia's surprise, after the mock drill was held in the school, his children came up excitedly to him. 'My younger son told me… his classmates were all chatting under the table while they took shelter during the drill. I had to hold back my laughter and explain: 'It is a very serious scenario. You cannot talk like that during emergencies'.'
'If parents calmly explain to their children about the current developments, then they won't be frightened. Children get afraid only when they are unprepared… It is the parents' fault. We need to sensitise and inform our children,' he added.
Richa Sharma Agnihotri, Principal at Sanskriti School, Chanakyapuri, told The Indian Express: 'We communicated with the parents before and after the mock drill. The parent representatives of each class and the PTA (Parent Teacher Association) members in the school were sent an email on conducting such a mock drill. After it was held… we issued a circular reinforcing the need for parents to communicate with their children at home, as well.'
Dr Bhavna Barmi, senior clinical psychologist at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, said in emergency scenarios, especially drills involving potential threats, it is critical to remember that children up to Class 5 are still developing cognitively and emotionally.
'Their perception of danger is vastly different from that of older children or adults. Sudden exposure to mock drills — alarms, lockdowns, or simulations — without age-appropriate explanation can easily trigger anxiety, confusion, or fear responses in them,' she added.
Dr Barmi suggested pre-drill sensitisation in simple language, adult modelling and reassurance, post-drill check-ins, involvement of parents, use of familiar analogies and therapeutic play tools to deal with such situations.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


India.com
2 days ago
- India.com
Mystery Of The Grounded Fleet: Is Indias Vital ALH Dhruv Fleet Safe To Fly After Porbandar Tragedy?
India's homegrown Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv fleet, which is an invaluable asset to its military, is still largely on the ground after a string of mishaps, the latest being a crash close to Porbandar. Although some of the 330 helicopters have been cleared to fly, especially after the recent air operations increased following the Pahalgam attack, an overall assessment of the entire fleet continues. The ALH Dhruv fleet has been grounded for most of the last three months after an Indian Coast Guard ALH Dhruv helicopter crashed off Porbandar on January 5, 2025. According to a source, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the maker of the aircraft, is clearing the fleet in phases, while the review of the entire fleet is ongoing. Understanding The ALH Dhruv And Its Importance ALH Dhruv is a twin-engine, multi-role, 5.5-tonne helicopter that has been developed and designed by HAL. Ever since it was inducted in 2002, the helicopter has been a workhorse of the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard. It carries out multiple missions, such as troop transport, reconnaissance, casualty evacuation, and combat in difficult terrain like the Siachen Glacier. Of the 330 total Dhruv helicopters, the Army has more than 180 (including 60 gun-bearing 'Rudra' variants), the Air Force 75, the Navy 24, and the Coast Guard 19. Army helicopters alone had around 40,000 flight hours last year, highlighting the fleet's crucial contribution to India's military arsenal, particularly along the borders and in relief missions during disasters. A worrying trend of crashes over the past few years has, however, cast doubts about safety. The Porbandar Crash And Subsequent Grounding The January 5, 2025, Coast Guard ALH Dhruv crash off the coast of Porbandar fatally killed all three crew members on board—two pilots and a diver. The incident led to an immediate grounding of the entire Dhruv fleet for an overall safety audit. Although the Army recently resumed flying its checked and cleared helicopters due to heightened security requirements following the Pahalgam attack, most of the fleet is still under scrutiny. Crash Investigation Findings During February 2025's Aero India, HAL Chairman Dr. D.K. Sunil gave a preliminary preview of the Porbandar crash probe. He indicated that a crack in the swash plate of the helicopter was found, an essential part governing the rotor blades, and could have caused the crash. The investigation team is currently attempting to find the causative root of the crack. The final report will determine if there needs to be more fleet-wide inspections or alterations. Dr. Sunil stressed that the Dhruv is not inherently a flawed design. In the last 25 years, 28 Dhruvs have crashed, of which 13 have been caused by technical malfunction, 13 by human error, and 2 by unknown reasons. Notwithstanding that, Dr. Sunil pointed out that the fleet as a whole has collectively logged millions of flight hours, testifying to overall strength. But he also admitted to shortfalls in training and maintenance procedures. Past Mishaps Inspiring Worries The ALH Dhruv fleet of helicopters has witnessed a number of mishaps in recent years, inspiring suspicions about the safety record of the aircraft: October 2024: An Air Force helicopter lost power and ditched while flying on flood relief missions in Bihar. September 2, 2024: A Coast Guard helicopter crashed in the Arabian Sea, killing two personnel. May 2023: An Army helicopter crashed in Jammu, injuring two pilots and a technician. March 2023: A Navy chopper emergency-landed off Mumbai. October 21, 2022: A 'Rudra' variant crashed in Arunachal Pradesh, killing two officers and three soldiers. August 2021: A mishap took place near Pathankot, resulting in fatalities. 2019: The helicopter of the Northern Army Commander crashed, although without any casualties. These accidents resulted in a prior grounding of the fleet in 2023, and its present re-induction is also being handled in phases. Current Status And Future Outlook Presently, although the Army has returned to operation with its cleared helicopters following operational requirements, the Navy and Coast Guard Dhruv fleets are mostly on the ground. HAL's gradual clearance procedure indicates that it may be a while before the complete fleet is operational again. The report of the ongoing investigation will also be significant in determining required adjustments to maintenance schedules or pilot training. Positives: The operational clearance of certain helicopters guarantees the Army's heightened readiness at all times. Concerns: If the swash plate problem found in the Porbandar crash is systemic, it raises a high risk to the entire fleet. Future: HAL has the mandate of making strong enhancements in training, maintenance, and possibly small design adjustments to ensure that future mishaps do not take place and that complete confidence in India's indigenously manufactured helicopter fleet is restored. Implications For India The grounding of the ALH Dhruv fleet has far-reaching implications for India: Security: The ALH is critically needed for border security and disaster relief. A fleet that is partially grounded impacts directly the operational readiness and capability of the military. Indigenous Pride: The Dhruv represents India's defense production self-reliance. Ongoing crashes threaten to undermine public and military confidence in its dependability and overall credibility. Economic Impact: An extended grounding of the fleet would cost HAL and the defence forces heavy financial losses in terms of maintenance budgets, operational expenses, and future procurement strategies.


India Today
3 days ago
- India Today
Message to Pak? Navy Day to be celebrated in Arabian Sea this year
The Indian Navy has announced that Navy Day 2025 will be celebrated in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, with festivities centred on the Arabian Sea, a strategic maritime zone critical to India's security. The choice of venue underscores the Navy's operational focus in the region and aligns with post-Operation Sindoor initiatives, which showcased its readiness to launch swift and effective operations in the Arabian location was finalised after considerable deliberation, in line with the government's initiative to celebrate significant national events across different regions, according to Defence Ministry sources. Last year, the celebrations were held off the coast of Puri in the Bay of Navy was fully prepared and capable of striking select targets at sea and on land, including Karachi, when India launched Operation Sindoor against Pakistan in response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The Navy maintained continuous surveillance and maritime dominance, and its forward deployment compelled Pakistan to remain in a defensive posture, mostly confined to harbours or areas close to the coast. Following Operation Sindoor, the Navy has been focused on strengthening its fleet with more powerful warships and submarines, bolstered by a planned investment of Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000 Day is observed annually on December 4 to commemorate 'Operation Trident', a key naval offensive during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War. This operation showcased the Navy's capabilities as Indian naval missile boats inflicted substantial damage on Karachi harbour, establishing a pivotal moment in the conflict and reinforcing the Navy's role in national Navy Day celebrations encompass a series of engaging activities to demonstrate the Navy's capabilities. These include operational demonstrations with naval ships, submarines, and aircraft, offering thrilling displays of their advanced capabilities. Fly-pasts by naval aircraft, including fighter jets and helicopters, further highlight the Navy's precision and prowess. Such events not only entertain but also educate the public on the Navy's vital role in national event will also feature ship open days, providing the public, especially schoolchildren, with the opportunity to explore naval warships and gain insight into the life of naval personnel.- EndsMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Thiruvananthapuram


Indian Express
4 days ago
- Indian Express
‘Can't believe I topped UGC NET JRF,' says Nilufa Yasmin with a perfect 100
Nilufa Yasmin, a resident of Katwa's Palita Road area in Purba Bardhaman, West Bengal, has secured the top rank in the UGC NET JRF June 2025 exam with a perfect 100 percentile. A research scholar at Burdwan University, Yasmin is working on the intersection of music and literature in the Middle Ages. This was her third attempt at the exam: she persisted with fresh preparation each time. 'I am very happy. I had hoped I would do well but never thought I would top,' Yasmin told The Indian Express, 'My guide and professor of the Bengali department, Ramenkumar sir, has always encouraged me to focus on my studies.' 'In the last two years, I faced problems with math and English because we lose touch, so I would advise everyone to practice English for the first paper. And for the second paper, text study is very important,' she said. Yasmin, who has consistently stood first in examinations throughout her academic career, comes from a family of educators. Her father, a high school teacher, recently retired, and her mother also taught at school. A lover of music, she likes to upload videos of her performing on social media. She now hopes to pursue a career in academia. 'My family is very happy and excited. My parents and sisters are calling me and telling me about all those who are calling them or visiting our home,' she said. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee congratulated the toppers on social media: 'Congratulations to Nilufa Yasmin of Katwa in Purba Bardhaman for scoring 100 percentile and securing first position in India in UGC–NET June, 2025 (with) Bengali, and to Rikta Chakraborty of Kolkata for securing second position in India in UGC-NET June, 2025 (with) Mass Communication and Journalism. Your achievements have made our state proud. Congratulations to your parents/guardians and teachers too.' Reacting to the post, Yasmin said, 'I could not believe that the Chief Minister had congratulated me. I am so happy that she is so busy but she remembers us… that means a lot.' The UGC NET is a national-level examination conducted to recruit Assistant Professors, award the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), and admit candidates to PhD programmes in Indian universities and colleges. In the June 2025 session, 10,19,751 candidates registered for the exam, with 7,52,007 appearing. Of these, 5,269 qualified for both JRF and Assistant Professorship, 54,885 qualified for Assistant Professorship and PhD admission, and 1,28,179 qualified for PhD admission only.