“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way …”

— Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

This description of the French Revolution applies just as well to the present day, when we are in the middle of a technological revolution. For it is precisely by means of our electronic media: TVs, computers, tablets, and phones—that we find ourselves inundated with wisdom and foolishness, belief and incredulity, light and darkness, hope and despair, everything and nothing … all at the same time, and in the same place.

It is indeed the best of times, the worst of times: tremendously exciting, and at the same time tremendously challenging. How can we be on the ‘Heaven’ side of this era-defining societal upheaval?

Well, nothing’s guaranteed, of course; but surely, we can improve our chances of coping with, or even benefiting from, this ‘revolution’ if we actively engage with the technology and learn how to use it safely. This is what I mean when I use the phrase ‘critical digital literacy’.

Digital Literacy is one of the key skills we are trying to teach at CMS, and it is the main motivation for the theme of COFAS International 2026, which is ‘Digital Humanity: Technology with a Purpose’. Over the years, this invigorating international Olympiad has nurtured and inspired curiosity, discovery, creativity, adaptability, and resilience among its student participants, and I’m sure this latest instalment will do no less.

My very best wishes to all of our participants, from near or far, and my heartfelt thanks to Mrs Jayashree Krishnan  (Senior Principal), Ms Khyati Lamba (Principal) and the dedicated team of CMS Rajendra Nagar I for once again organising this unique and time-relevant event.