In pics: School kids set up sustainability model with li’l help from Wipro earthian

Students from across 14 Kolkata schools came together at Modern High School for Girls for the annual meet and regional award ceremony of the Wipro earthian Sustainability Education Programme on September 7. Organised by Disappearing Dialogues Foundation, the event recognised the work done by 110 students in one of the largest sustainability education programmes in the country

The event commenced with a film screening on the East Kolkata Wetlands, followed by an expert session by Ashish Bipin Shah, consultant, Wipro Foundation, Wipro earthian. ‘It is heartening to see young people work so hard to save the environment. We must ensure that most of our lifestyle doesn’t harm the planet’s natural systems, and there are enough resources left for future generations,’ he said

Nobina Gupta has been leading Disappearing Dialogues and working closely with schools in East Kolkata Wetlands (EKW) for the past six years, driving up awareness about the ecological haven of the city. ‘We want all the students here to become leaders in their own right and make a difference in their homes and neighbourhoods,’ she said

The event had various activities that provided experiential learning on sustainability to students, from (above) making paper boats for a wetlands simulation, (top) to an enactment of various wetland species by students from Dakshini Prayash

Narayanpur High School, a native institute nestled within the EKW was one of the 22 institutes from India to receive a National Award. ‘Our goal is to shift our students to activity-based learning, which also prioritises sustainability, in keeping with the National Education Policy,’ said Abhijit Dasgupta, the teacher-in-charge

Students like Sujan Sardar and Nayna Naskar, who studied in schools within the EKW created artworks to adorn the auditorium while educating people about the ecology present in the wetlands

Students from (top) Modern High School for Girls, (middle) Mahavir Institute of Education and Research, and (above) Ek Tara won Regional Awards for their work

Bamanghata High School, Kheadaha High School and Future Hope also received participation certificates