The Air Force Family Welfare Association (Regional), Headquarters Training Command, organised an insightful virtual session for Sanginis on 17 August 2026, focusing on self-care, parenting, adolescent management and the emerging challenges posed by the rapidly evolving digital environment.
The session was conducted by Group Captain Tushar Agrawal, VSM, Head of Faculty at the Centre for Leadership Training and Behavioural Sciences (C-LABS), Air Force Administrative College (AFAC), Coimbatore. Sanginis from across the Area of Responsibility of AFFWA (Regional), Training Command participated virtually in the programme.
The session was graced by Mrs Sunita Shrinivas, President, AFFWA (Regional), Headquarters Training Command. The initiative provided participants with an opportunity to discuss several issues affecting families today, particularly those related to personal well-being, parenting and the changing social environment surrounding children and adolescents.
A significant part of the discussion focused on the challenges faced by Sanginis and the importance of recognising the difference between self-care and self-neglect. The session also addressed the need to identify and unlearn deeply ingrained conditioning that can sometimes prevent individuals from prioritising their own emotional and personal well-being.
Building dependable support systems was another important theme of the interaction. Participants were encouraged to recognise the value of communication, community support and healthy interpersonal relationships while managing the multiple responsibilities associated with family life.
The session also extensively discussed parenting and adolescent management, particularly in the context of Generation Z and the dramatically changing environment in which young people are growing up. With smartphones, social media platforms and digital content increasingly influencing everyday life, parents today face challenges that differ considerably from those encountered by previous generations.
Group Captain Tushar Agrawal highlighted the growing influence of the internet and social media on young minds and examined how online personalities and influencers can shape attitudes, aspirations and behaviour. The discussion underlined the importance of parents remaining aware of their children’s digital environment instead of viewing online activity in isolation from their wider development.
The programme emphasised the need to guide children towards responsible and informed digital engagement. As young people encounter an enormous volume of information, opinions and trends online, parental guidance and open communication can play an important role in helping them evaluate digital content thoughtfully and develop healthy online habits.
Rather than approaching the changing digital landscape solely through restrictions, the session highlighted the value of understanding the environment in which today’s adolescents communicate, learn and form opinions. Such awareness can help parents maintain stronger communication with their children while addressing the risks and pressures associated with excessive or inappropriate digital exposure.
The main session was followed by an interactive question-and-answer round in which Sanginis participated enthusiastically. Participants raised several pertinent questions, discussed their concerns and sought clarification on situations they encounter in their personal and family lives.
The interaction enabled participants to gain practical insights and useful takeaways for navigating challenges affecting both themselves and their children. The discussions were particularly relevant at a time when technological and social changes are rapidly reshaping family interactions, parenting practices and adolescent behaviour.
The initiative by AFFWA (Regional), Headquarters Training Command, reflected its continued focus on the welfare and empowerment of Air Force families. By bringing together professional expertise and active participation from Sanginis across the Command, the session provided a meaningful platform to discuss contemporary challenges and equip families with greater awareness to navigate today’s rapidly changing digital world.
