3 days Ago By DC Correspondent
Heartfulness Institute recently hosted the ‘Sustainability in Classrooms’ initiative at Kanha Shanti Vanam on the outskirts of Hyderabad, focusing on integrating sustainable measures in education. This event aimed to lay the groundwork for building a resilient ecosystem for holistic learning in the modern world. The event was graced by distinguished guests, including H.
E. Rev. Hon.
Patricia Scotland, Secretary General of the Commonwealth Nations, and H.E. Dr.
Oleksandr Polishchuk, Ambassador of Ukraine to India, along with several prominent dignitaries. Rev. Daaji, Guide of Heartfulness and President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission, presided over the proceedings, welcoming the esteemed attendees to the heart of sustainable education.
Rev. Hon. Patricia Scotland praised the initiative, highlighting the importance of nurturing environmental consciousness in classrooms.
“It is in the classrooms that we must plant the seeds of environmental awareness,” she stated. She also emphasized the role of youth in driving change toward a greener, more sustainable future, noting that the Commonwealth’s 1.7 billion young people hold tremendous potential to foster a sustainable tomorrow.
Rev. Daaji further underscored the need for a shift in mindset, advocating for the concept of “thought-pollution” as a major barrier to progress. He proposed the introduction of "thought-filtering" as the 18th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) to complement the existing 17 SDGs.
He believes that fostering positive thoughts can help address not only environmental issues but also broader societal challenges. The event also recognized winners of the annual Heartfulness Essay Event, with over 91,000 entries in 2024 on the theme of ‘Resilience,’ chosen to align with the Commonwealth's ‘Year of Youth.’ The winners were lauded for their innovative perspectives on sustainability and resilience in the face of global challenges.
A key feature of the day was Mr. Sushil Salvan’s talk on ‘Sustainability in Classrooms,’ where he stressed the importance of integrating sustainability models into education systems to elevate the quality of learning. Following this, a panel discussion on ‘Sustainability in Action’ provided insights into real-world challenges in the field of sustainability and suggested actionable solutions.
Delegates were also given a special tour of the Kanha Shanti Vanam facility, highlighting sustainable practices in agriculture, energy, water conservation, and eco-construction. The interactive student-led tour showcased innovations such as eco-friendly craftsmanship, nano fertilizers, and other initiatives contributing to soil and crop sustainability. Heartfulness’ ‘Sustainability in Classrooms’ initiative exemplifies how education can be transformed to address the pressing challenges of climate change while empowering students to lead the way toward a sustainable future.
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