A report by Kumar Kalyandurg, Secretary Green Circle Bangalore
The occasion was the orientation workshop for freshers in BMS Institute. The session was ‘ecosensitisation of the new entrants’. As usual, Selva ji, with full energy, presented a very much educative & informative session about the conducive Environment at BMSIT Engineering College for 1st Semester Engineering Students. Sir also conducted a simple quiz involving students on the dais with little of humor added to the ambience. He also emphasized the need for improvising creativity in all spheres to excel. The PPT presentation was superb, with interaction with the students. Overall, the session was a memorable one for both the students and faculty. On behalf of Selva Sir & Green Circle, saying ‘Thank you’, Dr (Prof.) Tejaswini for all your efforts in conducting / coordinating such a lovely Session for the new comers to BMSIT.
Down to Earth care needed – Green Circle Chairman Dr V Selvarajan
Presidency School of Law conducted an intra-university poster-making competition titled ‘Art for Earth‘. This was to celebrate Earth Day on April 22, 2025. The theme for this year was “Our Power, Our Planet“. This initiative aimed to combine artistic expression with environmental advocacy. It sought to foster a culture of awareness among the youth. It also aimed to instill responsibility in them. The key resource person for the event was Dr. V. Selva Rajan, an environmentalist. A good number of participants attended the event. They designed compelling and thoughtful posters. These highlighted the role of legal frameworks in fostering sustainability. The competition served as an educational tool. It was also an advocacy tool. Students transformed complex legal and social theories into compelling visual narratives. Dr. Saroj Sharma Dean, School of law, welcomed the gathering. This event was coordinated by Dr. Mohd Saleem, Associate Professor, and Ms. Toshali Pattnaik, Assistant Professor.
The report of the Presidency University School of law is given in the link. Click the link below to view.
Republic day celebration in association with People’s Trust
Bangalore: Green Circle in association with People’s Trust observed the 76th anniversary of India’s Republic Day, which coincides with World Environmental Education Day. After the unfurling of the national flag by Chief Guest Dr. Rajesh Gopinath, Prof of Civil Engineering Dept, BMS Institute of Technology, Yelahanka, the students of Sai Shankar Vidyashala, Sriramanahalli held a March Past, followed by a patriotic dance program. On this occasion, Green Circle honoured the noted Environmental Educator, Dr Rajesh Gopinath, and presented the Green Teachers Award to him.
Speaking on the occasion, Selvarajan Chairman of Green Circle said, ‘Green Circle has instituted the Green Teacher Award to mark the World Environmental Education Day. Dr Rajesh Gopinath is an inspiration for students. Coordinating eco club activities at BMS IT, he has guided the students to make seed balls and conducted check-listing of flora and fauna at BMSIT’. Harish Uthaiah of People’s Trust presented a memento on behalf of Sai Shankar Vidyashala. Thanking both Green Circle and People’s trust, Dr Rajesh said, ‘As Coordinator of eco club at BMS IT, I have always been trying to engage in education as a major tool to inculcate environmental values in kids. wish to innovate the methods to improve its effectiveness.
Crossword Puzzle on Environmental topics is a step in this direction wherein students can learn by unconventional methods and, most importantly, gain inquisitiveness. I will continue to sensitize and spread awareness.’ Green Circle administered the crossword puzzles on select environmental topics, like pollution, water, and animal behaviour. About 125 Children of Sai Shankar Vidyashala, Sriramanahalli, participated in the puzzle contest. The top three winners were chosen from 8th, 9th, and 10th standard respectively, and were given prizes. Harish Uthaiah, Managing Trustee of Peoples Trust added, ‘Soon we will be developing the People’s campus as a campus of five senses with the support of Green Circle.’ Pens, note pads and sweets were distributed to all children to mark the occasion.
In 2021, Robin Sharma, the Editor of Dwarka Express, Delhi called me (Dr V Selvarajan) and expressed his anguish about my relocating to Bangalore from Dwarka. However, he continued to interact with him to save the twenty Nilgai, which had been dislocated due to the destruction of the 200-acre natural forest in Bharat Vandana Park in the heart of Dwarka. In the last 3 years, the place has been under the artificial construction of an amusement park. While both lamented that they could not save Bharat Vandana, at least they were taking steps to relocate the Nilgai. As the discussion continued, Robin Sharma requested that I write to Dwarka Express regularly. I suggested an exclusive page called South Express which will carry articles and news items from South India. Once decided, there was no looking back. This page was added as the ninth page of Dwarka Express. While Robin Sharma was happy to spread out to South India, I treated this as an opportunity to write about the environment. Slowly, many authors started contributing useful articles on nature and the environment. When 100 editorials were over, I contemplated a book named OUR ENVIRONMENT, OUR CONCERN. Coincidentally, the title was the mantra of the Dwarka NGO called Green Circle, founded by me. Dwarka Express, in which South Express is a page dedicated to South India released the Book on 7.12.2024 in a glittering function at CCRT Auditorium Sector 7, Dwarka, New Delhi. About 200 Dwarkites attended the function. The function was organized by Green Circle Dwarka Chapter in association with Dwarka Express and Centre for Cultural Resources and Training, Min of Culture, Govt of India. I owe this opportunity to Robin Sharma as South Express has crossed its 118th week. South Express will achieve many more laurels in the years to come. The book published by Alize Publishing is priced at Rs 299 and I will contribute all Royalties earned for the cause of Green Circle, founded by me in 2001. I sincerely remain grateful to all my readers, well-wishers, and friends of nature for their relentless support. This book will be available on the Amazon website from 7.12.24. Again, my sincere thanks to Robin Sharma for this honorary assignment.
PET bottles are not treated as Single Use Plastic (SUP)!
Green Circle Bangalore conducted a workshop for students of Sai Shankar Vidyadhara, Rajanugunte Bangalore on environment day. More than 100 students attended the workshop. A presentation was made by V Selvarajan, Chairman of Green Circle on ‘Managing Single Use Plastic’. He has highlighted the important aspects of SUP and its ill effects; and stated that 21 items have been identified by Central Pollution Control Board which have been banned in India from July 2022. He informed the members that not only usage but manufacture and import also are banned. However, he expressed the concern that SUP items are being used even after 2 years despite the ban. He said that it is not good to exclude the PET bottles which are being widely used to store drinking water. He advised the students to reduce the use of plastic and think of reusable ever silver vessels. He requested the students to carry cloth bag and refuse polythene bags when they visit vegetable shops and the like. Though only 10~20 percent of the plastic may be of single use, such items create havoc in blocking our waterbodies. Green Circle team consisting of Kumar Kalyandurg and Vasanthakumar made the arrangements. Earlier Harish Udhiah, Managing Trustee of the People’s Trust welcomed the gathering and lauded the efforts of Green Circle. Ram Prasad Dham, a senior trustee advised the students to take a pledge to protect environment.
Plogging at the Sriramanahalli village
100 students of Sai Shankar Vidyashala school participated in a plogging drive organized by Green Circle and People’s Trust. The students were given gloves and collection bags. About 50 kgs of plastic waste was collected and handed over to Rajanagunte Panchayat van. Earlier students had formed several groups and searched for plastic waste in nearby green area. Green Circle members Vasanthakumar, Kumar kalyandurg, Selvarajan and Ashok joined the drive and collected plastic trash. The students were accompanied by teachers who also participated in collecting the trash.
‘Let us nurture the nature and have a nurturing nature’
The above slogan by a student Charu Dhuruthi was the best part during Green Circle Drawing competition. The drawing competition was part of the environment day celebration which was participated by 150 children together from Junior and senior children. Green Circle arrange drawing sheets and crayons for the junior children. One hour time was given. Senior children were given the topics like Save nature for future, conserve water, Go green, go clean. The juniors were given topics like trees, nature or animals. A 5-year-old first standard student drew a tiger in an awesome manner. For curiosity, the jury gave the sheet to a teacher and asked her to identify the animal in the picture. The fact that the teacher was able to call it a tiger proved the drawing skill of the child. ‘The drawings were beyond our expectation; the children are highly talented’ said Vasanthakumar of Green Circle.
Kumar kalyandurg wondered whether most of the children deserve a prize. Three children from both the category were shortlisted while some 10 children were also given consolation prizes. Selvarajan said that the prizes will be distributed on a subsequent day. Winners of Drawing competition under juniors category, the winners are Sai Shashanth,1st, Kushi 2nd and Praveen & Ganavi, 3rd while Under Seniors category First prize goes to Charu Dhuruthi K S, Second to Tamilarasi, Third to Harshita V. Consolation prizes were also given.
Eleven-year-old Anoop looked excited. He came to the Nest making workshop organised by Green Circle, with just an idea to have fun outside school. But when the workshop was over after 3 hours, he was reluctant to return to school. Chitra was very engrossed with the nest making activity. She said, ‘I thought that it will be tough to build a nest. But it’s so easy.’ Anand said, ‘I was happy to win a toffee for a right answer to the quiz question. I learnt so much new information. Lastly, we had a fun activity to draw the tail of a donkey on the white board, blind folded’. The second workshop was organized by Green Circle at Krishna Sagara lake, Avalahalli, Yelahanka Bangalore. It was attended by 50 children from Vishwa Vidyapeeth School, Rajanukunte. Vishwa Vidyapeeth Teachers Nirmala, Sneha and Minchu accompanied the children. Green Circle volunteers Namrata, Jennifer, Vinutha and Virabatrappa made the arrangements and motivated children to do the nature activities. Roopa, Principal of the school said, ‘We are happy with the activities and would like to organize similar programs. At the end, Selvarajan, Chairman Green Circle proposed the vote of thanks
GREEN CIRCLE 