Yakara Ganesh, 26, from Warangal, Telangana, has created something truly special — ‘Samskar’ — a talking doll that helps children understand good touch and bad touch in a way that’s simple yet powerful, giving them the confidence to stand up against inappropriate behaviour.

Samskar has already educated over 60,000 children in schools and homes. Parents and teachers, who previously struggled to explain this sensitive topic to kids, now find it easier to address it through this interactive tool.

Credits: TOI

When the doll’s private parts are touched, it immediately says, “Don’t touch!”  The voice alerts, recorded by Ganesh’s friends and even a district collector, make the messages relatable and impactful for children.

The Samskar Doll speaks in seven languages: Telugu, English, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Konkani. This multilingual approach ensures that the message reaches diverse regions and communities across India.

Ganesh, who grew up in a village and completed his intermediate education, has always been passionate about innovation. His dedication earned support from IIIT Hyderabad’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which provided him with financial and technical assistance.

The doll is already being used in schools in Telangana’s Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district. Its adoption by police departments, child protection officers, and schools in Tamil Nadu highlights its effectiveness in addressing child safety.

Credits: TOI

Ganesh is now working on Samskar 2.0, an upgraded version that will allow parents and teachers to record their own voice alerts. This personalised feature aims to make the doll even more engaging and user-friendly.

The simplicity of the Samskar Doll makes it an invaluable tool for teaching children about personal safety. Its ability to convey critical messages through an interactive medium is earning widespread acclaim.

Credits: TOI