Mumbai, 15th March 2025 (TGN) – In a powerful convergence of art, activism, and advocacy, Day 2 of Ctrl Alt Delete, Art That Dares to Speak brought together survivors, experts, artists, and changemakers at Veda Kunba, Versova, Andheri. Organized by Sakshi powered by STCI, the event marked the conclusion of the 2024-2025 implementation phase of The Rakshin Project in Mumbai District. Over 3000 students have been reached through this initiative, fostering critical conversations on child sexual abuse
The event opened with an immersive installation titled खिलौना by Padma Damodaran, offering an immersive experience of the impact of child sexual abuse (CSA).
Smita Bharti, Executive Direction of Sakshi, a rights based NGO said, “The silence is the most deafening sound, and it’s time we break it, for the sake of those who’ve been silenced.”
The first panel, Layers of Harm: Unpacking the Impact of Child Sexual Abuse, brought together experts such as Nikita Sulay (Psychologist, Amaha),Prof. Nishi Von Mitra (Chairperson, Advanced Centre for Women’s Studies, TISS),Prof. Sivakami (Professor, SHSS, Tata Institute of Social Sciences),Vasvi (Program Manager at Triveni Samaj Vikas Kendra, Malad),Ishita Sharma (Founder, Mukkamaar)Sachin Chitambaran (Founder and Director, Training, Connect Hut)and Dr. Ramya Nisal (Director, The Rakshin Project) to discuss the profound mental, emotional, and social impacts of CSA. The insightful discussions underscored the importance of survivor-centric, trauma-informed interventions.
In the afternoon, audiences were captivated by the thought-provoking play Ghat Ghat Mein Panchi Bolta Hai, written and directed by Smita Bharti. Performed by a stellar cast including Sandip Soparrkar, Ankiita Bhargava Patel, Priyasha Bhardwaj, Padma Damodaran, Swaroopa Ghosh as Taramma, and Mahima Mishra as Sanjana, the play was a powerful theatrical experience that transcended mere entertainment. Through the intertwined narratives of six lives, the impactful play delved deep into the ramifications of generational trauma and the weight of silence and denial. Serving as a potent wake-up call, the play urged the audiences to confront the dire consequences of turning a blind eye to uncomfortable truths
The second panel, Framing the Unspoken: Portrayal of Child Sexual Abuse in Film, Theatre, and Art, featured Smita Bharti (Executive Director, Sakshi),Kireet Khurana (Filmmaker) ,Sohaila Kapur (Actor) ,Insia Dariwala ( Filmmaker, Child Rights Acitivist),Shilajit Mitra (Film Critic, The Hindu) ,Nivedita Basu (Producer) ,Aishwarya Singh (Student Activist) highlighted how creative mediums can both challenge harmful narratives and shape new, inclusive understandings of abuse and healing.
The evening concluded with Paperwalls, written and directed by Sharodiya Chowdhury, a stirring performance that further emphasised the transformative power of storytelling in breaking the silence around CSA.
The event closed with a call to action, urging everyone present to continue the vital work of preventing child sexual abuse. As the Rakshin Project continues to grow and expand, Sakshi remains committed to fostering safer, more equitable spaces for children and communities across India.
