Ashoka Reflections_FEBRUARY 2024
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Ashoka Reflections | Page 09
With the support of Professors Gautam Menon and L.S. Shashidhara, I launched LiveGreen@Ashoka under
the Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability as a student-focused initiative aimed at improving
sustainability on campus. The initiative's mission was to create a strong connection within the Ashoka
community and inspire everyone to adopt sustainable choices on campus. It envisioned a campus where
every action contributed to a greener and more sustainable future, nurturing sustainability from within. It all
began with analysing activities related to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and sustainability, speaking
to student societies and clubs identifying interest areas, challenges and redundancy in projects across
different student societies. Recognising the gaps, I emphasised the importance of students taking charge and
collaborating with staff, societies, and clubs on various sustainability and SDG projects. Our commitment to
inclusivity supports bottom-up initiatives and cross-departmental collaboration, promoting sustainability
practices, raising awareness, and encouraging meaningful behavioural changes within the Ashoka community.
The three-pronged approach of LiveGreen@Ashoka integrates green technology interventions, behavioural
changes, and operational interventions, making sustainability a tangible and integral part of campus life. The
initiative empowers the Ashoka community to adopt green technologies, implement behavioural changes, and
actively participate in operational interventions that promote sustainability.
Beyond being a mere vision, LiveGreen@Ashoka is a dynamic movement that leads by example. Initiatives
such as the Green Agneepath Plastic Collection Drive, conducted in collaboration with Blue Nudge, Blue
Planet's initiative, and the Environment Ministry, address the pervasive issue of plastic waste generated
during events like sports fests. Student volunteers play a pivotal role in transforming events into collective
responsibility campaigns by collecting, segregating, and upcycling plastic waste into benches for students.
As part of LiveGreen@Ashoka, students can speak up and implement their ideas on campus. Throughout the
past year, the program has collaborated actively with societies and passionate individuals on various projects.
An example of such a project is the proposal of a vendor to recycle menstrual waste-Padcare, to handle
menstrual waste at Ashoka, by our student Aishwarya Sunnad. As a result, Padcare facilities have been
established throughout campus thanks to the collaborative support of the university administration and
operations team. Another impactful initiative, the E-Waste Campaign, in collaboration with Tarang
(Environment Ministry) and Attero, showcases the university's commitment to the responsible disposal of
electronic waste. Besides contributing to a greener mining sector, the campaign aligns with global efforts to
reduce import dependency and create sustainable supply chains through expert presentations.
LiveGreen@Ashoka collaborates extensively with the AU SDG Club on projects such as LiveGreen@Ashoka
Idea Box, Thrift Your Bags, and the Do You Know This About Ashoka series.
These initiatives engage students and staff in creating awareness about existing sustainability features,
sharing ideas for enhancing sustainability efforts and repurposing resources—a testament to the collective
commitment to responsible practices.
A recent initiative with the AU SDG Club involves transforming Ashoka's paper waste into a student-led and
run recycled stationery brand. This ambitious project minimises paper waste and reinvests proceeds into
other sustainability-related initiatives, establishing a circular economy model within the campus. The project
kickstarted with students painting waste cardboard boxes, later distributed in offices and resident halls across
campus. The Digital Carbon Footprint Series, another brainchild of LiveGreen@Ashoka, addresses the often-
overlooked aspect of carbon emissions in the age of rapid digital expansion. In collaboration with the
Environment Ministry, the series sheds light on the environmental consequences of daily digital activities,
empowering the community to make conscious choices and take sustainable actions in the digital realm.
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