Decisions Kartikeya Thiyam Sundaram

Our vice-principal was leaving the institution after 15 years of dedicated service. Unfortunately, the last incident he had to deal with in this capacity involved a student who had released private pictures of another student online without her consent.

I felt I had to speak up and ensure united intolerance of this behavior in my community. However, I only had one opportunity to do so - the VP’s farewell assembly where I was slated to deliver a speech as Head Boy. Would it be disrespectful to change course at this celebratory gathering and ask people to stand up to dangerous bullying? My speech no longer matched the occasion but I would have an audience with which I could discuss an issue that affected us all.

I walked to the podium, paid my respects, and took my stand.

I spoke from the heart, and the audience rose to stand with me.