Anoushka Jolly's memories of a fellow student being humiliated at a school function five years ago are carved firmly in her mind. However, for this 13-year-old, the experience served as a catalyst for launching a social movement to combat bullying and give a forum for students and parents to anonymously report incidents.
With the cooperation of educational institutions, social organisations, and professionals, the 'Anti Bullying Squad (ABS)' has positively touched over 2,000 students from over 100 schools and universities, according to Jolly, who founded the internet platform three years ago.
The Class 8 student has also created a smartphone application called 'Kavach,' which allows students and parents to anonymously report bullying situations, allowing schools and counsellors to intervene and take action.
Jolly, who was nine years old at the time, said the experience of the girl being tormented "was registered in my memory and I still cannot forget her face," she was afraid and felt helpless.
"I was attending the school annual day when my friends decided to bully the six-year-old girl who they found annoying. They walked up to her and started calling her names and laughed at her," she said.
"Soon, I realised how common the problem is and saw many other children of my age being victims of bullying and losing confidence," said Jolly, whose social initiative not only made her the youngest contestant to pitch her entrepreneurial idea on TV reality show Shark Tank India, but also resulted in a funding offer of Rs. 50 lakh.
Students at Pathways School in Gurugram seek to create a strong network of anti-bullying ambassadors who will track the progress of individuals who have been influenced directly or indirectly by the platform and application.
"I have been running the ABS digital platform for over three years with an aim of spreading awareness about bullying which leaves many scarred and desolated. The platform acts as a community where specialists come together to organise one-on-one sessions in schools against bullying," Jolly told.
According to her, the platform also helps individuals to better understand bullying and its ramifications, as well as take a commitment to stop it. It also sells anti-bullying goods.
"However, during the process, I realised that most of these incidents do not get reported and hence, do not get resolved. So, I came up with an idea of creating a bullying reporting mobile app 'Kavach' to anonymously report incidents," Jolly said.
The idea was well received by judges of (Shark Tank), two of whom even stepped forward to invest in my app at ₹50 lakh in valuation to help me widen its scale and reach," she said.
Shark Tank is a reality television show that airs Shark Tank, a global entrepreneurial reality show, has an Indian counterpart. The show is now in its maiden season in India, with 198 individuals chosen from a pool of 50,000 applicants.
Anupam Mittal, founder and CEO of People Group (Shaadi.com), and Aman Gupta, co-founder of boAt, are among the investors in Jolly's proposal.
Jolly, the daughter of a professional accountant and an entrepreneur, has big aspirations for her own business.
She has yet to select what courses she wants to pursue after she graduates from high school.
"I wish to become an entrepreneur only, I will take this initiative forward. For now, I am looking forward to launching 'Kavach', to reach more children and hold webinars and talks all across the country as well as the world to propagate the anti-bullying message," Jolly said.
Congratulating her, Capt Rohit Sen Bajaj, Director, Pathways School, Gurugram, said, "We take immense pride in spirit and passion of Anoushka Jolly whose work towards eliminating bullying in schools and campuses is not only educating many about the issue but also empowering young and old to stand up for themselves and for others".
