Under the leadership of Mr. Sandy Khanda, Founder and Director of the Green Pencil Foundation, Rao Birender Singh State Institute of Engineering & Technology (RBSSEIT), Zainabad, Rewari, hosted a successful Campus Climate Vartaleap to engage youth in climate action and sustainable development.
The initiative was supported by Commutiny – The Youth Collective under its flagship program “Changeloomer: Youth Leaders in Climate Action,” which aims to empower young people to take active leadership roles in tackling climate change at the grassroots level.
Participation and Experience
A total of 72 participants attended the Vartaleap, including engineering students, faculty members, and youth mentors. The session provided insights into sustainable lifestyles, innovation, and climate leadership, motivating students to take real-world actions within their campus and local communities.
From Dialogue to Action
The term “Vartaleap” reflects the integration of “Dialogue” and “Leap,” emphasizing the transition from awareness to practical action.
The session was led by Professor Anil Kumar Gillawat, Training & Placement Officer. Representatives from the Green Pencil Foundation, including Mr. Sandy Khanda and Mr. Divyansh Gandhi, guided students on waste management, water conservation, energy efficiency, and reducing single-use plastics.
To promote sustainable habits, students were provided with reusable cloth bags, encouraging them to replace plastic bags with eco-friendly alternatives in their daily lives.
Leadership and Inspiration
Mr. Sandy Khanda highlighted:
“True climate action begins when awareness transforms into responsibility. When youth lead sustainability initiatives within their campus, they inspire entire communities.”
Professor Anil Kumar Gillawat praised the initiative, stating that such programs provide students the opportunity to apply technical knowledge in real-life contexts while cultivating leadership skills and social responsibility.
National and Global Context
The Campus Climate Vartaleap is part of Commutiny – The Youth Collective’s national series aimed at nurturing youth leadership and sustainable solutions. The Changeloomer program equips students with experiential learning and collaborative problem-solving skills, fostering leadership capacity to address environmental challenges.
This initiative aligns with India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically:
SDG 4: Quality Education
SDG 13: Climate Action
SDG 17: Partnerships
The Green Pencil Foundation aims to reach 2 million people by 2030 through environmental awareness programs while empowering the next generation of climate leaders.
From Awareness to Impact
The Vartaleap at RBSSEIT demonstrates that youth are not only the future but also the present drivers of climate change solutions.
Concluding the session, Mr. Sandy Khanda remarked:
“Inspiring a single student today can influence hundreds tomorrow. Climate action begins with one step, one campus, and one dedicated youth.”
The initiative planted seeds of environmental responsibility, sustainable lifestyle practices, and social leadership, which are expected to contribute significantly to building a greener and more sustainable future in the coming years.
