Young leaders voiced their concerns and suggestions in front of policymakers and stakeholders
Mumbai, January 22, 2026: In a powerful demonstration of student-led change, Salaam Bombay Foundation’s Preventive Health Education Programme marked the 20th version of its flagship forum Bal Parishad, that enables adolescents from resource-challenged communities directly engage with policymakers and authorities and help create change for the well-being of their communities.
Led entirely by students known as Health Monitors, the Bal Parishad brought together over 200 students from government and government-aided schools and was attended by senior policymakers and administrators. Dignitaries present included Hon. Minister Dr. Pankaj Bhoyar, School Education, Maharashtra; Shri Ranjit Singh Deol (IAS), Principal Secretary, School Education and Sports Department; Hon. Mr. Vijayakant Sagar, Deputy Commissioner of Police; Hon. Mrs. Sujata Khare, Education Officer, MCGM; and Dr. Umesh Shirodkar, Joint Director, Public Health Department, Maharashtra.
Trained under Salaam Bombay Foundation’s Preventive Health Education Programme, the Health Monitors used the platform to highlight real-world challenges within their communities, including tobacco use, hygiene and nutritional gaps. Through direct interactions with policymakers, students presented practical, evidence-based recommendations and shared community initiatives such as poster campaigns, door-to-door outreach and collaboration with local leaders. The Bal Parishad also recognised young changemakers whose efforts demonstrated how awareness, confidence and student-led action can drive meaningful and lasting change.
Hon. Minister Dr. Pankaj Bhoyar – School Education, Maharashtra said, “Today, we witnessed how a committed social organisation can drive meaningful change in society. The confidence with which the students presented, and the joy on their faces reflect the true impact of such initiatives. This, to me, is real success. The work being undertaken by Salaam Bombay Foundation addresses a critical need of our times, and the government and the administration will continue to stand firmly in support of such efforts.”
Shri. Ranjit Singh Deol (IAS) Principal Secretary, School Education and Sports Department said, “The Bal Parishad is truly a unique programme. We are seeing children step forward as agents of social awareness. Through the student success stories, we can see that when a child is determined, they can mobilise their community: whether it is addressing waste management or other public health concerns and bring about real, measurable change. I extend my best wishes to all the students for the meaningful impact they can create as Health Monitors.”
Speaking on the occasion, Tshering D. Bhutia, Chief Innovation Officer and Senior Vice President, Projects (Preventive Health Education Programme & Research), Salaam Bombay Foundation said, “What we witnessed today was children speaking truth from lived realities. Bal Parishad reaffirmed that when we listen to young voices, we help break the cycle of fear and ignorance, and nurture confident voices and conscious choices.”
The Bal Parishad was conceptualised under Salaam Bombay Foundation’s Preventive Health Education Programme which began in 2002 as an initiative to steer students away from tobacco and break cycles of addiction and poor health. Since then, the programme has branched out to include every aspect of its students’ health: resistance to tobacco use, awareness about nutrition, looking out for their mental well-being with an overall focus on life skills. Through the Bal Parishad, the Preventive Health Education Programme has empowered thousands of students to work with relevant policymakers and stakeholders to bring about positive change in their communities. It goes beyond awareness of healthy practices, to opening up a portal to leadership and long-term community impact.
As Salaam Bombay Foundation celebrated two decades of Bal Parishad, the message remains clear when young people are equipped with knowledge, confidence and a platform, they don’t just speak up, they help break cycles and reshape the future of their communities.
