Sustainability should be a lived experience: waterman Rajendra Singh at the 1st Yuva Sustainability Conference
The conference titled ‘Sustainability Storytelling for Green India: A Movement to Empower Youth’, being organised by Voices of Bharat: Yuva for Sustainability, is set to kickstart a movement to create mass environmental awareness and catalyse climate action
Desk
Sustainability is not to be only taught or learnt, it is to be lived, said the Waterman of India, Rajendra Singh, at the First Youth Sustainability Conference-2025 organised here today. The recipient of the Magsaysay Award and the Stockholm Water Prize, he emphasised focusing on indigenous knowledge.
He has spent decades reviving traditional water management systems and leading community-driven efforts to restore rivers and water bodies in arid regions. His experience is expected to inspire youth with practical insights on sustainable resource management and the vital connection between water conservation and climate resilience.
The pioneering conference was held as part of a campaign for “Sustainability Storytelling for Green India: A Movement to Empower Youth” under the aegis of Voices of Bharat: Yuva for Sustainability, launched by New Delhi-based Sustainability Karma and implemented by Jaipur-based Lok Samvad Sansthan (LSS) in association with Kanoria P G Mahila Mahavidyalaya.
The Voices of Bharat: Yuva for Sustainability initiative has received support and praise from Rajasthan Chief Minister Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma; Shri Sanjay Sharma, State Minister (Independent Charge), Forest, Environment & Climate Change; and Dr Manju Baghmar, Minister, Women and Child Development.
The Voices of Bharat: Yuva for Sustainability initiative was launched earlier by Rajasthan Chief Minister Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma on World Environment Day (June 5, 2025). Speaking on the occasion, Sh Bhajan Lal Sharma, said, “I am pleased to launch an initiative titled Voices of Bharat: Yuva for Sustainability, which is a nationwide initiative to build capacity of students to use storytelling to sensitise masses and inspire environmental action.” He emphasised the pivotal role of youth in nation-building and highlighted the need for innovative platforms that tap into their creativity, energy, and commitment to protect the environment.
The initiative aligns with India’s broader environmental and climate commitments, including Mission LiFE, the Panchamrit targets, Net Zero goals, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The official newsletter for the inaugural Yuva Sustainability Conference was launched earlier by Sh. Sanjay Sharma, Rajasthan’s Minister for Environment and Forest (Independent Charge). Emphasising the crucial role of youth in shaping the nation’s future, Sh Sanjay Sharma highlighted the importance of platforms that channel their creativity, energy, and commitment towards environmental protection. He added, “Together, let’s empower young changemakers and build a greener India.”
The official poster of the inaugural Yuva Sustainability Conference was unveiled earlier by Rajasthan’s Minister for Women and Child Development, Dr Manju Baghmar. Speaking on the occasion, she highlighted the value of traditional knowledge and described grandparents — Dada, Dadi, Nana, and Nani — as “living libraries of wisdom, values, and lived experiences.” She reflected, “In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, their simple yet profound stories — rooted in village life, traditional practices, and nature’s rhythms — hold the key to reconnecting our youth with environmental consciousness.”
Elaborating on the rationale behind hosting the conference, Dr Seema Agrawal, Principal, Kanoria PG Mahila Mahavidyalaya, said: “Our college was established with the objective of making students fully capable by imparting to them practical education along with academic education.” She added, “In the same series, the Voices of Bharat: Yuva for Sustainability initiative is organising the 1st Yuva Sustainability Conference in which students will be encouraged to become Sustainability Champions.”
Talking about Voices of Bharat: Yuva for Sustainability, Convenor Rajiv Tikoo, who is also Consulting Editor of Sustainability Karma, pointed out that the initiative aims to empower young people to become effective storytellers who can influence public attitudes, spark conversations, and drive action at the grassroots level. Kalyan Singh Kothari, Co-Convenor of Voices of Bharat: Yuva for Sustainability and Secretary of Lok Samvad Sansthan, stressed the importance of sensitising and enabling millions of youth to contribute responsibly to sustainable development.
In this endeavour, the initiative is partnering with educational institutions like Central University of Kashmir, Srinagar, J&K; Haridev Joshi University of Journalism and Mass Communication, Jaipur; IIMT University, Meerut; Institute of Event Management, Jaipur; Kanoria PG Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Jaipur; Miranda House, University of Delhi; Vedic PG College, Jaipur; and Vishvakarma Skills University, Jaipur.
The initiative is guided by an eminent board of educators like Prof Sudhi Rajeev, VC, Haridev Joshi University of Journalism and Mass Communication; Prof Dev Swaroop, VC, Vishvakarma Skills University; Prof (Dr) Kandarpa Das, VC, Girijananda Chowdhury University, Guwahati; Prof K G Suresh, Director, India Habitat Centre and Former VC, Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University & Former DG, IIMC; Prof Subhash Dhuliya, Former VC, Uttarakhand Open University; Prof Bijaylaxmi Nanda, Principal, Miranda House, University of Delhi; and Prof. Sanjeev Bhanawat, Professor and Head of Journalism, University of Rajasthan.
The initiative is supported by industry and non-profit leaders like Bisleri International, Blueleaf Energy, UFlex Limited, Tetra Pak and Nature Conservancy India Solutions. Rajasthan Chamber of Commerce & Industry is the Internship Partner.
Speakers at the conference included educationists, media persons and corporate leaders like Prof Sudhi Rajiv, Vice-Chancellor, Haridev Joshi University of Journalism and Mass Communication; Prof Rajeev Jain, Former Vice Chancellor, University of Rajasthan; Dr Rashmi Chaturvedi, Director, Kanoria PG Mahila Mahavidyalaya; and Dr Seema Agrawal, Principal, Kanoria PG Mahila Mahavidyalaya.
Speakers from the corporate sector included Dr K L Jain, President, Rajasthan Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Pratyush Thakur, India Country Head, Blueleaf Energy; K Ganesh, Director, Sustainability & Corporate Affairs, Bisleri International; Neeru Dhawan, Head of Global Communication, UFlex Limited, and Priyanka Sharma, Head of Operations – Nand Ghar, Vedanta.
Mediapersons like Ms Naina Gautam, Editor & Podcaster, Sustainability Karma; Sh Manish K Sharma, Associate Director, Adglobal360; Dr Arvind Kalia, National Head, Mentoring, Rajasthan Patrika; Sh Amit Sharma, State Video Head, Dainik Bhaskar; and Sh Purushottam Divakar, Photo Journalist, India Today Group, also participated in a panel discussion.
Other speakers included Rajiv Tikoo and Kalyan Singh Kothari, Convenor & Co-Convenor, Voices of Bharat, Yuva for Sustainability, and Dr Mohita Chaturvedi Sharma, Head, Department of Sociology, Kanoria PG Mahila Mahavidyalaya.
Kalyan Singh Kothari
Secretary..lok samvad sansthan
M 94140 47744
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