A quiet revolution is underway in Punjab’s schools. It’s not confined to textbooks, nor limited to traditional teaching. In Malerkotla, a girl is learning to protect herself from online threats; in Pathankot, a boy is understanding why his grandmother’s banking information must remain secure.
An entire generation is being prepared not with fear, but with awareness. Under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s forward-looking leadership, Punjab Police’s ‘Saanjh’ initiative has gone beyond traditional policing to build trust, foster partnership, and engage communities actively, shaping the future of Punjab’s children.
The ‘Cyber Jaago’ initiative, launched by Punjab Police’s Cyber Crime Division, represents a shift from reactive policing to preventive education. Its reach extends across the state, equipping young minds to navigate the complex digital landscape.
The first workshop trained 75 teachers, with plans to cover 3,968 government high schools across Punjab. This is more than a government program—it is a protective shield woven by the Bhagwant Singh Mann government around Punjab’s most precious resource: its children. The initiative addresses a pressing need, as 76% of children aged 14-16 now use smartphones for social media, exposing them to cyberbullying, identity theft, and online exploitation.
What sets Punjab Police’s approach under the AAP government apart is the collaborative spirit of ‘Saanjh’—partnership. The project has established district community police resource centers, 114 sub-division community policing centers, and 363 police station outreach centers across the state. Police officers are not just law enforcers; they serve as guides and protectors of the next generation. Every week, personnel visit schools not in intimidating uniforms, but as mentors and elder siblings, communicating care and concern.
Special DGP V. Neerja, head of the Cyber Crime Division, highlighted that “with widespread access to digital content, children face both opportunities and risks online,” noting that the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital use beyond many parents’ comprehension.
The Bhagwant Singh Mann government responded with a comprehensive strategy. Teachers trained under Cyber Jaago empower students to identify threats, understand AI-related risks, and respond to online child sexual exploitation.
The Saanjh initiative resonates with Punjab’s cultural spirit of ‘saanjhe chulhe’, the shared stove symbolizing collective responsibility. Through Shakti Helpdesk programs, Punjab Police conduct awareness seminars in districts like Sri Muktsar Sahib and SBS Nagar, educating students about good touch/bad touch, child exploitation, drug abuse, and helpline numbers 112/1098.
The Bhagwant Singh Mann government has ensured that every child knows they have a protector in the police force.
Combining technology with human sensitivity, the PP Saanjh mobile app allows citizens to access police services, FIR copies, and verification processes digitally, while police personnel continue face-to-face sessions in schools. Under CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, the police are accessible partners in community welfare rather than distant enforcers.
When a 14-year-old learns about online financial fraud, that knowledge protects family members at home. When a girl understands her digital rights, she advocates for her friends’ safety.
As DGP Neerja emphasized, this is the beginning of a long-term effort to integrate cyber security into Punjab’s school culture. The Bhagwant Singh Mann government aims to create a generation that is digitally literate, socially aware, and empowered to protect themselves and others.
The success of Saanjh reflects a governance shift from top-down directives to bottom-up partnerships. Each Saanjh center operates as an autonomous registered society with police-public committees, ensuring community input shapes policing priorities. Supported by CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, this approach has transformed public perception of police from authority figures to advocates.
Today, Punjab’s Saanjh initiative stands as a model for the nation—where 21st-century policing meets Punjabi values of community and care. Under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the AAP government has shown that true security comes from awareness, not fear; preventive education, not punishment; and knowledge, not intimidation.
The Bhagwant Singh Mann government’s vision ensures every child steps confidently into the future, protected by knowledge, strengthened by awareness, and supported by a police force that embodies ‘Saanjh’—partnership.