Collaborate to Conserve
I have been recognized as an Ashoka Young Changemaker (<1% acceptance out of 1800+ applicants) for my community service initiative.
Under the banner of ‘Collaborate to Conserve’ my community service initiatives are a continuous, dedicated contribution towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals 3, 4, 12 & 15.
Our Plastic Warriors initiative, powered by Rudra Blue Planet Environmental Solutions and the Keshav Sita Trust, is making waves! With over 1000 students joining our cause, we're taking big steps to combat plastic pollution and champion sustainability. Thanks to the support of cricket star Mr. Kedar Jadhav, we've launched this movement in schools and communities, inspiring young minds to make a difference.
Our ongoing efforts have already led to the collection of 200 kg of plastic waste, with 70% transformed into valuable PolyFuel.School Media Coverage
Visit Website: https://www.plasticwarriors.in/
This movement has given me the recognition as an "Ashoka Young Changemaker" from India
But we're not stopping there! We've embarked on a groundbreaking project to repair a 4 km stretch of road using Plastic Waste Tar, from Angrewadi Village to Indus International School. Collaborating with students like Riyan Lodha from Mahindra International School and Vivaan Ranka from Symbiosis International School, we're showing that noble actions can spark change.
Thanks to the generous support of sponsors like BU Bhandhari Group, Kool Homes, Ranka Homes, Blue Ventures, MIT Group, and others, we've raised 4 Lakh to fund this initiative. The road maintenance work began on March 22, 2024, and in just one week, we're transforming this stretch into a model for sustainable road construction. Together, we're not just repairing roads – we're paving the way for a greener, cleaner future for all.
Our project received praise from Hindustan Times and Pune Mirror
We're grateful for the media spotlight on the youth's dedication to environmental conservation. Hopefully, 'Collaborate to Conserve' will become a widespread movement and a source of inspiration for people to preserve our beautiful planet.
We Did It Again - 2nd Road Restoration with Plastic Waste Tar
I collaborated with Roniet Shende, Riyan Lodha and Aarsh Muttha for the second do & demonstrate project on using Plastic Waste Tar for Road Maintenance and Restoration. This time we touched the lives of senior citizens from Raja Shree Shivray Prathishthan’s “Matoshree Vrudh Ashram”, an old age home located in Karve Nagar, Pune.
Matoshree is just like a big home for all those needy Senior Citizens with various difficulties and no support. We came across the road stretch at entrance of Matoshree which needed restoration. We mobilised funds of about Rs. 1.60 Lakhs from our supporters Oxford Group, Lunkad Reality and Nareetaa Boutique and collaborated with stakeholders to deploy almost 50 Kg. of plastic tar for this project. The project was launched on 28th Sept. 2024 and completed within 3-4 days.
We hope that this movement takes deeper roots in months to come and plastic waste tar becomes the ingredient in all future road maintenance projects across the city.
We are appreciated by- The Better India, Better India Linkedin, Better India Facebook, Times India, School Media Coverage
At Indus International School, the Plastic Warriors team organized a 'Going Green' initiative on 14th August 2023, planting 150 diverse trees with the dedicated hands of 148 students. This green milestone, made possible by the generous support of Pune's Oxford Group and Saarrthi Group, showcases our commitment to environmental stewardship. Each student received certificates in recognition of their contribution. A heartfelt thank you to Oxford & Saarthi for sponsoring Rs. 1.1 Lakh towards this endeavour.
Alongside my friend Roneit Shende, we established a medicinal garden on 10th October 2023, on our school grounds, boasting 25 diverse medicinal plant species with four plants of each type, totalling 100 medicinal plants. Complementing these are 100 ornamental plants, enhancing the garden's aesthetic allure.
Recognized in the India Book of Records on 07/02/2024 as the largest medicinal garden in any Indian school, this achievement underscores our dedication to experiential learning and environmental preservation. By cultivating various medicinal plants alongside ornamentals, we've not only created a visually captivating space but also provided a hands-on learning opportunity for our school community. Sponsored by Saarthi and Oxford with a generous contribution of 1,20,000/-, this initiative promotes health preservation through natural remedies, fostering a deeper connection with our environment and enriching the educational journey for all.
Featured on Teenagers of India
3 Sept 2024
Restoration of Medicinal Plants Garden at Indus International School, Pune.
After the initial establishment, we observed that heavy rains had caused significant damage to the garden. To address this, we undertook a restoration project, successfully replanting 137 new medicinal plants of 21 species, including Piper Longum, Aloe Vera, Stevia and many more. This revitalized garden continues to serve as a living classroom and a testament to our commitment to environmental conservation and experiential learning. “Collaborate to Conserve” is a journey and not a one time destination.
Beyond environmental conservation, my commitment extends to contributing towards SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, and SDG 4: Quality Education For All
I organized a two-day Mental Health workshop for students from Grades 9, 10 and 11. The workshop, featuring sessions by acclaimed doctors, Dr. Bhushan Chaudhari (M.D. Psychiatry and Dr Nidhi Agarwal, M.D. in Homeopathy, MS in Psychology) significantly enhanced students' awareness and understanding of the importance of maintaining mental health, particularly during the tumultuous teenage years. This workshop not only enriched the students' awareness of mental health but also proved to be immensely beneficial to the entire school community, equipping students with essential tools and resources to navigate the complexities of their teenage years with resilience and a focus on lasting well-being.
Expressing gratitude to our dedicated school staff, I organized a medical health camp on Thanksgiving, 23rd November 2023, at Indus International. With the support of Dr. D Y Patil Hospital & Research Centre, 162 staff members participated in health screenings and 72 received basic life support training. Sponsored by DY Patil, this initiative fosters a culture of well-being and community, emphasizing proactive healthcare and mutual support.
Teaming up with my classmate Roniet Shende, we organized a successful Dental Camp for our support staff on March 14, 2024. With support from the Dental Department at Sadhu Vaswani Missions Medical Complex, Inlaks & Budhrani Hospital, and mentorship from our CAS Coordinator Ms. Ashwini Sirpotdar, the event aimed to promote well-being. Inlaks & Budhrani Hospital, inspired by Dada J. P. Vaswani's vision, aligned with our school's values of "Love and Empathy." Attended by 73 support staff members, the camp received high praise, highlighting the impact of student-led initiatives and community collaboration.
On June 3, 2022, launched the 'Share to Care Education Drive' in collaboration with Sadhu Vaswani Mission at Indus International School, Pune. Our goal was to enhance educational resources for students from Junior KG to First Year graduates by providing essential study materials like stationery and notebooks to over 580 school students. We received invaluable support from organizations like the Leprosy Rehabilitation and Welfare Organization, Late Dr. Minu Mehta Nagar Social Service Center, Shantai, and Mahila Seva Mandal. With 2.8 Lakhs raised from Sadhu Vaswani Mission, we're inspired to continue our mission of serving others.
Media Coverage
