Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Wednesday launched the Sidharthan Student Welfare App, a digital platform designed to protect students’ safety and well-being and provide a confidential mechanism for reporting campus-related issues.
The app, developed by Digital University Kerala, was launched at a function held at Government Women’s College in Thiruvananthapuram. The Chief Minister handed over a model of the app to Digital University student Poushali. A live demonstration showed how a message sent from her phone was immediately received by the concerned authorities. Sidharth’s mother also attended the function.
Satheesan said the app was inspired by the words of Sidharth’s mother, who expressed the hope that no other student should undergo a similar experience. He described the initiative as an assurance that students would not have to face difficulties alone and that society would stand by them.
Students can use the platform to report complaints and seek help for emotional distress without revealing their identities. The Chief Minister said the app would also serve as a warning to those involved in ragging, adding that strict action would be taken against offenders.
Higher Education Minister Roji M John said the government was committed to ensuring that parents could send their children to any campus in Kerala without fear or anxiety. He stressed that ragging, violence, disorder and intimidation had no place in educational institutions.
The app allows students to submit audio complaints anonymously and share safety-related information with the authorities concerned. It is intended to provide a confidential channel for students to seek assistance and report incidents.
Meanwhile, the draft Sidharth Anti-Ragging Act is under the government’s consideration to provide a legal framework for the app and establish a State Anti-Ragging Commission.
