Hyderabad: Cyberabad Police and the Society for Cyberabad Security Council (SCSC) celebrated a decade of the Margadarshak programme and recertified 41 volunteers under the unified platform, Margadarshak – Your Buddy in Distress 3.0. The initiative brought together previously certified Margadarshaks and Sangamitras to strengthen community support networks for people facing emotional, social, personal and cyber-related challenges.
The recertification programme was attended by volunteers from earlier batches, representatives of member organisations, residential welfare associations, SCSC leadership and Cyberabad Police officials. Participants refreshed their knowledge of empathetic listening, psychological first response, women’s safety, cyber safety, legal awareness and referral mechanisms available through support systems.
Addressing the gathering, Cyberabad Police Commissioner M. Ramesh, IPS, said volunteers often serve as the first point of contact for people facing difficult situations. He encouraged them to remain approachable and compassionate while providing guidance and reassurance to those in need.
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Women and Child Safety Wing, K. Srujana, highlighted the growing importance of partnerships between citizens and law enforcement agencies. She said trained volunteers play a vital role in connecting distressed individuals with appropriate support services and resources.
Margadarshak programme enters new phase with unified network
The event formally merged the Margadarshak and Sangamitra volunteer networks under Margadarshak – Your Buddy in Distress 3.0. Organisers said the move would create a single platform of trained community volunteers capable of offering responsible intervention and support across diverse situations.
Members of the SCSC Executive Committee, including Venkata Seshu, Vanitha Datla, Ragu Kannan and Nag Challa, reflected on the initiative’s impact over the past decade and appreciated the contribution of volunteers who have served as trusted support systems in their communities and workplaces.
The programme received support from SCSC Chief Executive Officer Naved Alam Khan and was guided by Rashmi Srivastava, whose efforts contributed to the growth of the initiative. SCSC volunteers Vishnupriya Saksena, Padmapriya Chalamakuri, Shalini Singireddy and Sonia Sahgal coordinated the milestone event. Pratyusha Sharma was also recognised for her contribution to community outreach initiatives through the SCSC Women’s Forum.
Officials said Margadarshaks and Sangamitras have supported numerous individuals over the past 10 years through guidance, referrals and timely assistance. As the Margadarshak programme enters its next decade, SCSC and Cyberabad Police reaffirmed their commitment to expanding the volunteer network and promoting a culture of care, resilience and community responsibility.