Chandigarh, November 18, 2025 : A silent revolution is underway in the schools of Punjab. It is not written in books, nor is it being taught solely by traditional teachers. This is a revolution where a girl in Malerkotla is learning to protect herself from online threats, a boy in Pathankot understands why his grandmother’s banking information must remain confidential, and an entire generation is being equipped not with fear but with awareness. Under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Punjab Police’s ‘Saanjh’ initiative has gone beyond traditional policing to create a bridge of trust, partnership, and active community engagement, shaping the future of Punjab’s children.
The ‘Cyber Jago’ initiative, launched by Punjab Police’s Cyber Crime Division, represents a major shift from reactive policing to preventive education, reaching every corner of Punjab where young minds are navigating the complex digital world. The first training workshop trained 75 teachers, with plans to cover 3,968 government high schools across the state. This is not just another government program — it is a protective shield woven around Punjab’s most precious resource: its children. The emotional significance of this initiative becomes clear when considering that 76% of children aged 14–16 now use smartphones for social media, making them vulnerable to cyberbullying, identity theft, and online exploitation.
What makes Punjab Police’s approach unique under the Mann government is the deep sense of collaboration inherent in the word ‘Saanjh’, meaning partnership. The Saanjh project has established district community policing resource centers, 114 sub-division community policing facility centers, and 363 police station outreach centers across the state, creating an unprecedented network where police officers do more than enforce the law — they become mentors, guides, and protectors for the coming generations. Each week, Punjab Police personnel visit schools not in intimidating uniforms of authority but as elder siblings and teachers, speaking the language of care and concern.
Special DGP V. Neerja, head of the Cyber Crime Division, emphasized:
“With the widespread availability of digital content, children face both online opportunities and threats.” She highlighted how the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated children’s digital immersion, often surpassing their parents’ understanding. The Mann government quickly recognized this vulnerability and responded with a comprehensive strategy. Teachers trained under Cyber Jago not only teach cyber hygiene but also empower students to identify potential threats, understand AI-related risks, and respond effectively to online child sexual exploitation.
The beauty of the Saanjh initiative lies in its cultural resonance with Punjab’s concept of the ‘shared hearth’ — a symbol of collective responsibility. Through programs like the Shakti Helpdesk, Punjab Police conducts awareness seminars in schools in districts such as Sri Muktsar Sahib and SBS Nagar, educating students about good touch and bad touch, child abuse, drug misuse, and helpline numbers (112/1098). The Mann government ensures that every child in Punjab knows there is a protector in the police force.
What transforms this initiative from policing into a social movement is the integration of technology with human sensitivity. The PP Saanjh mobile app allows citizens to digitally access police services, obtain copies of FIRs, and complete verification processes anywhere in Punjab, while police officers simultaneously conduct face-to-face sessions in schools. Under CM Bhagwant Mann’s governance vision, police are not distant enforcers but accessible partners in community welfare.
When a 14-year-old learns about online financial fraud, they go home armed with knowledge to protect their grandparents from UPI scams. When a girl understands her digital rights, she becomes an advocate for her friends’ safety. As DGP Neerja stated, this is not a one-time campaign but the beginning of a long-term effort to make cyber safety part of Punjab’s school culture. The Mann government’s vision is clear: to create a generation that is digitally literate, socially aware, and empowered to protect themselves and others.
The success of Saanjh under the Mann government reflects a fundamental shift in governance philosophy — from top-down directives to bottom-up partnerships. Each Saanjh center operates as an autonomous registered society with police-public committees, ensuring community voices shape policing priorities. This democratic approach, supported by CM Mann, has transformed public perception of the police from enforcers to enablers, from figures of authority to advocates.
Punjab’s Saanjh initiative now stands as a beacon for the entire country — a model where 21st-century policing meets timeless Punjabi values of community and care. Under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s leadership, the government has demonstrated that true security comes not from more police stations but from more aware citizens; not from harsh punishments but from preventive education; not from instilling fear but from building confidence. This is the lasting legacy of the Mann government: a Punjab where every child steps into the future confident, protected by knowledge, strengthened by awareness, and supported by a police force that truly embodies ‘Saanjh’.
Summary:
The Maan government’s Punjab Police initiatives, including ‘Cyber Jago’ and ‘Saanjh,’ educate children on cybersecurity, training them to become responsible digital citizens and future protectors.