• September 8, 2021
• Education, Opinion and Analysis

Towards ecological sustainability, one student at a time

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At Wipro, we have endeavored to work on educational challenges and ecological sustainability issues, both within our organization and outside. From the natural intersection of our work in these domains came the need to support and drive sustainability thinking and action through learning processes in schools and colleges across India. This was the genesis of the Wipro earthian program.

Started in 2011, Wipro earthian, brings together two of our key concerns: education and sustainability. This national-level program engages with schools, school networks, and colleges in 29 states and 3 union territories across India through a partner network of sustainability educators. Through this program, we also host a national sustainability quiz program for colleges, organize a unique internship program for college students, and collaborate on long-term academic partnerships with some of the leading higher education institutions in India.

Over the last decade, more than 8,000 teachers working with public schools across the country have joined the Wipro earthian schools program. We acknowledge, appreciate, and applaud the teachers who have volunteered and participated in this program. While they teach mainstream subjects, they have a common interest in environmental education and many of them have continued to work and guide students year on year in the program. They are driven by the vision to sensitize young minds on the importance of sustainability and conservation,  and by an intrinsic motivation to spearhead responsible collective action.

The past couple of years have been challenging in many ways for all of us, and more so for teachers who have had to adopt virtual classrooms. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, we saw that their interest in the program has not waned. They have continued with the same vigor and drive, to guide and inspire their students to participate in the program.

This month, with Teachers’  Day being celebrated, we would like to feature and recognize the incredible work done by teachers across the country. These teachers are all part of the Wipro earthian community and have contributed towards mainstreaming environmental education in their schools and communities.

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Ms. Rinku Das, Assistant Teacher at the Baruipur Girls’ High school in South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal says, “As a teacher, it is our responsibility to equip our younger generation with environmental education, so they can raise their voice to stop human-induced climate change. We have a key role in shaping our future generations.”

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Mohammad Asif, Assistant Teacher with Munimpur Bartara Primary school in Barabanki district, Uttar Pradesh, echoed the same sentiments as Ms. Das. “We are in dire need of adopting fundamental positive changes in our mind, attitudes, behavior, values, education, and ways of living to save the planet earth for the future generations,” he feels.

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Ms. Swati Gupta, a teacher with Nand Vidya Niketan School in Jamnagar district, Gujarat, says, “As an environmental educator, I feel motivated that I can play a role in connecting people to the environment and communities around them by conducting various activities in school with students, as well as with teachers and parents.”

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Dr. Shiksha Tripathi, an Environment Coordinator with City Montessori School in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, says, “Being associated with this project not only gives me a sense of satisfaction at a personal level by finding answers to all my questions, it also relaxes me when I deal with students at a professional level and try to solve their queries and listen to their ideas and thoughts on sustainability.” Shiksha Tripathi has led multiple teams from CMS Lucknow who have been winners of the Wipro earthian School competition.

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Qurratulain Khan from St. Columbus school in West Champaran district, Bihar, says, “To lead any change, one must begin from home. I have limited using single plastic bags. During birthday celebrations of my children or any other festive occasion, we try to plant a tree. With the aid of the Forest Department, we have carried out plantation drives in my village. I understand that making these small changes to our lifestyle could make a significant impact and might encourage my students to become more conscious as well.”

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Santosh Gaonkar, serving as the Headmaster of Poira High School in Poira, Goa, has been lauded at the state and national levels for his contributions to science education. Under his guidance, his students have competed in the Wipro earthian regional and national awards. He says, “School is a bridge between students and society. I have always ensured that learning is useful in social change.”

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Chanchal Singha Roy is a teacher on a mission to inspire students’ passion for nature and the environment. He teaches at GSSS. Kadamtala, located at Middle and North Andaman and has guided two teams from his school to win the Wipro earthian awards in 2018 and 2020. He says, “These awards and recognitions not only boosted the level of confidence of both I and my students, but they were also acknowledged by rural communities, for the importance of the work they did as part of the program” He is the receiver of the AIR India “BOLT State Award” (Board-Outlook-for Learner Teacher) 2007, and is also the author of a self-published book  ‘My Friend Dugong’ and co-author of ‘Amjum Tales’.

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With the release of the report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) this year, and warnings of a looming global climate crisis, a responsible citizenry that drives change is necessary. It is imperative to create a future generation that will step up to the challenges, and one that is aware of its role in mitigating the impacts. No doubt our teachers have a vital role to play in shaping this generation of climate-resilient change makers. We are thankful to the thousands of teachers who continue to work enthusiastically to make our vision a reality. We recognize and support their efforts in making the Wipro earthian program a fruitful and crucial learning experience for students across the country.