Priyanshi Das, a Class II student of Parbatidevi Free Primary School in Tulsitala of Raiganj, has become a campus star for raising awareness about "good touch" and "bad touch" among children.

Inspired by a health and physical education class conducted by her teacher this month, Priyanshi has taken it upon herself to demonstrate these concepts through role-play to her classmates and other students in her school.

Gayatri Das, her mother, said the chapter on "good touch and bad touch" piqued Priyanshi’s curiosity.

“After the class, she returned home and asked me why such topics were included in their syllabus. I explained the importance of the chapter in detail, stressing how children can protect themselves from inappropriate behaviour. This understanding inspired Priyanshi to spread the message among other students and girls in particular,” she said.

At home, Gayatri guided her daughter to practise role-play. She enacted it for her classmates back in school, showcasing the difference between safe and unsafe touches.

“Her initiative was so impactful that the school authorities decided to extend her demonstrations to other classes,” said the mother.

When this reporter went to the school, Priyanshi was seen preparing for a performance in the classroom of Class IV.

Along with a friend who played the role of an imaginary adult, Priyanshi staged a simple but effective demonstration. They cleared a small space in the classroom to create an improvised stage. Priyanshi portrayed herself as a child, while her friend enacted various types of touches.

“The imaginary adult (the other student) first placed a hand on Priyanshi's head, mimicking a gesture of blessing, which Priyanshi called a 'good touch'. A gentle pinch on the cheek followed, also categorised as a 'good touch',” a teacher present during the demonstration explained.

However, as the imaginary adult moved to touch inappropriate areas like the chest, stomach and waist, Priyanshi immediately rejected these as "bad touches".

The demonstration ended with a handshake, which Priyanshi once again remarked was a "good touch".

“Priyanshi then asked her audience to identify good and bad touches during a repeat performance. The students enthusiastically participated, shouting out their answers in unison,” the teacher said.

After the performance, Priyanshi reminded her audience to inform a trusted adult, like a parent, if they ever felt uncomfortable with someone's touch. She admitted that initially she did not understand why such a chapter was included in their syllabus.

“But as my mother explained it to me, I realised its importance. I wanted my friends to understand too, so I decided to act it out for them. My teachers encouraged me,” said the eight-year-old girl.

Arupkanti Ghosh, the school's headmaster, said that on Children’s Day, Priyanshi and her mother performed the act on stage during the school event.

“Realising its impact, we decided to involve Priyanshi in raising awareness across all classes,” said Ghosh.

Kingshuk Maity, the subdivisional officer of Raiganj, praised the child. "It is remarkable to see such awareness in a child so young. We are mulling making Priyanshi a role model for awareness campaigns to prevent child abuse,” he said.