x
Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated Cyber Awareness Month – October 2025 at the Maharashtra Police Headquarters on Friday, emphasizing the growing importance of cyber safety in the digital age.
Speaking at the event, CM Fadnavis highlighted AI-driven threats such as deepfakes, online propaganda, and the manipulation of young minds through digital platforms. He urged citizens to report cybercrimes immediately using helplines 1930 or 1945, underlining that prompt reporting can prevent financial losses and mitigate harm—similar to the ‘golden hour’ in accident response.
The CM stressed the need for proactive measures, saying, “It is not enough to punish criminals after a fraud has occurred. Preventing financial losses is equally critical, and awareness is the most effective tool.” He called on communicators, teachers, and parents to play a central role in educating the younger generation about online risks.
A key highlight of the event was CM Fadnavis’ announcement that including cyber safety education in school curricula could be a revolutionary step in safeguarding children. He released ‘Cyber Safe Childhoods: A Blueprint for Maharashtra’, a report prepared by Grade-11 students of Dhirubhai Ambani International School. The report reflects 18 months of rigorous research on combating cybercrime against minors and was praised by the CM as a demonstration of youth leadership and responsibility.
Actors Akshay Kumar and Rani Mukherjee, DGP Rashmi Shukla, Additional Chief Secretary Iqbal Singh Chahal, and academics from VJTI and IIT-Mumbai attended the launch. Fadnavis also warned against cyberspace being misused to spread destabilizing propaganda, including what he described as the threat of “urban Maoism,” and highlighted the need to strengthen technological and societal resilience against such challenges.
With these initiatives, Maharashtra aims to lead the way in creating cyber-safe childhoods and raising awareness about digital threats among its citizens.
0 Comments