At Barakhamba Road screening, Ashwani Kumar calls for gender sensitisation in schools

Ashwani Kumar told students at Modern School, Barakhamba Road, that women’s safety begins with the values children learn at home and in classrooms.

Speaking after a special screening of his acting debut, *Devyani*, Kumar said laws, policing and institutions were necessary, but lasting change depended on addressing attitudes and behaviour early. “When boys learn from their school years that respecting women is a basic human value, we create a generation that is more sensitive, responsible and respectful,” he said.

Kumar, Secretary in Assam’s Information Technology Department and director at its Directorate of Information Technology, Electronics and Communication, said younger people are exposed to ideas earlier and are more willing to question stereotypes.

Modern School principal Dr Vijay Datta said schools can build conversations around dignity, empathy, equality and respect. He said cinema could help young audiences connect with these subjects through human stories.

*Devyani* follows the relationship between a father and daughter while engaging with women’s safety, dignity and empowerment.