Empathy, often spoken of but rarely understood in depth, was spotlighted as a quiet yet transformative force that shapes human connection, character, and community.
Empathy is considered an essential quality for social engagement and child development.
It isn’t limited to support during hardships; rather, it is demonstrated through everyday interactions through a sincere greeting, active listening, or the willingness to acknowledge someone who is often overlooked.
Drawing on years of experience in social work and child development, educators emphasise that empathy is a learned behaviour that must be nurtured.
Active listening, emotional awareness, recognising bias, and being non-judgmental are some of the key enablers that help build an empathetic mindset.
Efforts are made to ensure that empathy is not reduced to a mechanical habit, but cultivated as an authentic, heartfelt response.
One such initiative is the Hope Torch Self-Worth Journal used in mentoring sessions with children.
Activities like “Respect for the Disrespected” encourage children to greet, speak with, and engage meaningfully with people they may ordinarily overlook, such as security personnel, housekeeping staff, and vendors. Through such interactions, children discover that empathy is not about charity or pity, but about dignity, respect, and human connection.
Experts believe that children internalise empathy best when they observe it in action.
Adults are encouraged to model empathetic behaviour in simple, everyday interactions. Reflection plays a critical role — children are guided to share how certain interactions made them feel, and how they might have made others feel in return.
Stories are also used to demonstrate that empathy rarely requires grand gestures. Often, it is consistent, simple kindness- a genuine enquiry, a listening ear, or a moment of acknowledgement — that leaves a lasting impression.
“It is not about what we give, but how we make others feel,” is a principle that guides Bala Mandir's approach to human engagement.
As empathy becomes part of behaviour rather than instruction, it nurtures character. When children learn to care not out of habit, but understanding, it becomes a lifelong virtue.
In a world increasingly defined by technology and speed, Bala Mandir’s message is clear — empathy remains one of the most powerful human strengths, quietly shaping relationships, building communities, and inspiring change — one simple act at a time.
By P Natarajan