International Youth and Sustainability Festival 2023 begins in Pune

Mumbai | 4th March 2023

The two day International Youth and Sustainability Festival 2023 by Symbiosis International commenced in Pune today. Jointly organised by Symbiosis Centre for Waste Resource Management and ExploreiT as a prelude to the upcoming Y20 consultation meeting scheduled for 10th and 11th March in Pune, the festival aims to bring together young people to learn and engage in discussions on sustainability and the environment. The festival was inaugurated by the “Water Man of India” Dr. Rajendra Singh and Dr. Ujjwal Chauhan, Additional Commissioner, Income Tax, Mumbai. Other co-hosts included Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies, Pune, Symbiosis Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability, Symbiosis Centre for Outreach Program and Extension, APCCI, and Climate Reality Project.

Dr. Ujjwal Chauhan, the Guest of Honour, shared his inspiring journey of addressing water scarcity and conservation in many villages of Jalgaon, which was motivated by the news of a farmer’s death. He described his journey of successfully constructing reservoirs of over 500 crore litre capacity, benefitting more than 40,000 farmers and making over 70 villages drought-free.

In his keynote address, Chief Guest Dr. Rajendra Singh shared his childhood experiences and nature-based learning and inspired the youth to take responsibility for the environment. He emphasized that actual education from nature provides more avenues for learning than mainstream modes of education.

Aditya Pundir, head of the Climate Reality Project, India and South Asia, graced the inaugural function along with Dr. M.S. Shejul, Registrar of Symbiosis International (Deemed University), who delivered the welcome address and felicitated the guests. Also present were Dr. Manikprabhu Dhanorkar, Director of Symbiosis Centre for Waste Resource Management and Shivam Singh, CEO of ExploreiT.