Action Learning Saturday | Going Green with Swechha | 28th October

Contributor: Team YA

If we were asked to paint a picture of Delhi, in all likelihood, we will draw buildings, the red fort, and some malls. In the current scenario, we will also draw several ailing and coughing citizens battling with the toxic air of Delhi. 

I spent the last couple of days witnessing the smog building up in the air, my father's coughing due to air pollution not getting cured after more than 10 medications or so. Amidst all of it, I feel the timing to engage, explore and deepen our understanding of our connection with the environment couldn't have been better looking at the air crisis we would hit during Diwali time. 

And with that, the next Saturday we are coming together to get our hands dirty in some soil and painting green a part of the Delhi canvas. We would be coming together with Swechha on one of their existing plantation projects and spend the day greening Delhi and protecting its existing green cover as along with it, we plant hope for fresh air in the city.

Swechha is an organisation dedicated to enabling themselves and others in making a visible difference to the Environment. Their various programs to act towards the cause are Monsoon Wooding, Green Creep, Airshed, Yamuna Yatra, Green the Map, Gram Anubhav etc. to name a few.

We would end the day with a conversation with Vimlendu Jha, Founder Swechha. Here is a little bit about him:

Vimlendu founded Swechha in 2000 and has turned it into one of India’s most influential organizations on youth matters. He is a New Delhi based Social Entrepreneur and Environmentalist, passionate about working with young people across the country on issues of citizenship, ecology, and leadership. He has struggled for the River Yamuna for over a decade and the effort has been applauded by the Delhi government as well as several international governments and institutions. Vimlendu was selected as one of 6 world-wide change makers (the only one from Asia) by CNN International to be part of their ‘Be the Change’ programme. Acknowledged as one of the top 25 youth leaders of India by International Youth Foundation.Outlook and India Today. His ability to network with youth organizations across the country, as well as his keen understanding of the issues facing young people, makes him regularly sought after for advice and experience – his international experience spans over a decade.

Having set up the Green the Map, Swechha’s fair trade initiative that produces innovative products from waste material. Additionally, he has made award-winning documentaries on environmental and youth issues. Vimlendu’s innovative and unconventional approaches to contemporary environmental and social issues have touched millions of people worldwide.

We look forward to spending a day with you. :)

Sign up HERE!

Timings: 10:00 a.m - 2 p.m

Date: Saturday, Oct 28th ,2017

Place: We would share the venue details closer to the date.

In case of any questions or queries, feel free to reach out.

Sharing the glimpses of previous ALS here.