When children become greenfluencers…

August 18, 2026August 29, 2026Dr V Selvarajan Leave a comment

Bangalore: Can children become catalysts for environmental change? VIBGYOR High, a renowned school in Marathahalli believes they can. With the conviction that children can positively influence not only their parents but also the wider community, the school has launched the Greenfluencer Academy, a unique initiative to encourage environmentally conscious student leaders. “Our belief is simple – when children combine creativity with environmental awareness, they can influence civil society and achieve remarkable things,” said Ms Santoshi, Principal of VIBGYOR High, while inaugurating the programme on 18 July 2026. The inaugural session featured distinguished environmentalist Dr. V. Selvarajan, Founder of Green Circle, who has devoted more than three decades to environmental conservation and education. Addressing the gathering on Climate Action Initiatives, he highlighted some of today’s most pressing environmental challenges, with special emphasis on scientific waste management. He explained that the most effective way to tackle waste is to reduce it at the source and encouraged children to become ambassadors of responsible consumption and disposal. One of the highlights of the interactive session was his demonstration of the four-colour waste bin system launched by the Government of India recently, enabling students to understand how simple daily habits can make a significant difference to the environment. He also cautioned students about the growing threat of single-use plastics and encouraged them to adopt sustainable alternatives in their everyday lives. “Every small action contributes to a much larger positive change,” The speaker reminded the young audience, inspiring them to become true Greenfluencers—children who lead by example and motivate others to embrace sustainable living. The occasion also saw the launch of Nature Nest, a companion initiative designed to nurture curiosity and a love of nature among younger children. The programme, coordinated by Padhma, drew an enthusiastic response, with nearly 60 students, 50 parents, and several teachers participating. Expressing his appreciation, Harpreet Singh, a parent, described the initiative as “a unique effort to involve parents alongside children in environmental education” and assured the school of continued support for similar programmes. By empowering children to become environmental ambassadors, VIBGYOR High has demonstrated that meaningful climate action begins not only in government policies or institutions, but also in classrooms and homes—one child at a time

NSS Plogging drive

May 9, 2026June 12, 2026Dr V Selvarajan Leave a comment

Bangalore: Green Circle organized a plogging drive on May 9, 2026, in Avalahalli Village. Although this village is located among urban areas, it remains in better condition than many of its surroundings. Plogging in Avalahalli was easier compared to the nearby urban regions. Over 200 student volunteers from the National Service Scheme (NSS) at BMSIT&M, an engineering college near the village, participated in the event. Green Circle coordinated the plogging drive, which lasted for two hours, with the support of the Singanayakkanahalli Panchayat. The volunteers were divided into smaller groups and assigned different paths: some worked inside the village, others on the road leading to the village, and some along Doddaballapura Road. Wearing gloves, the volunteers collected single-use plastics littered along the roads.

They used cement sacks, typically used for construction, to gather the plastics. In total, nearly 200 kgs of plastic waste were collected, which were then handed over to a truck sent by the Panchayat. Some Panchayat workers also participated in the plogging effort. Additionally, several volunteers went door-to-door in the village to raise awareness about the harmful effects of plastics. Suvarna, an NSS volunteer, shared her experience, saying, “It is interesting to collect discarded plastics. We feel satisfied that we have done something good for Mother Earth. We wish to join more plogging drives and do our part.” Earlier, Nanje Gowda, the Patron of Green Circle, welcomed the participants, and V. Selvarajan, the Chairman of Green Circle, provided instructions to the volunteers. Other Green Circle volunteers included Kiran Taula, Sandip Mukopathya, Manjunath, Namrata, Mohd Saheel, and Jayasree. Professors Manoj and Babu Naik also joined the drive and helped coordinate the activities. Kumar Kalyandurg, Secretary, Green Circle, said, ‘Today’s plogging activity is part of our ‘Mission Clean Bangalore’ program. We will continue to highlight the need for upkeep of the environment in the coming days.’

Eco-friendly Mass marriage

April 25, 2026June 12, 2026Dr V Selvarajan Leave a comment

“Environment First, Efforts Must” True to this vision, Green Circle inspired a team of young volunteers from BMS IT & M in Yelahanka, Bangalore, to participate in a mass marriage event organised by People’s Trust. This annual mass marriage, now in its 23rd year, brought together 27 couples along with their families, relatives, and friends to celebrate this unique occasion. Held in a rural setting, the event was a collaborative effort by a committee of various village leaders under the banner of People’s Trust. The couples were selected based on moderate and low-income backgrounds, as per their applications for the mass marriage. The goal of People’s Trust is to minimise costs related to food and expenses that would have arisen if each marriage were conducted separately. Approximately 5,000 people attended the event, all under one roof. Each couple received essential items such as utensils, provisions, wedding garments, garlands, and Mangalya, with local donors generously contributing to make the event possible. Couples were required to pay a nominal registration fee of ₹500, and nothing more. In preparation, the village committee met multiple times over four months to ensure everything was organised.

Last year, Green Circle noted that about 10,000 one-litre PET bottles were used, with only a quarter of each bottle being consumed by guests. As a result, they recommended scrapping PET bottles altogether. However, this proposal could not be implemented for convenience reasons, but the committee discussed the issue extensively and ultimately decided to use half-litre bottles instead. Green Circle was pleased to hear this decision. On the day of the event, Green Circle extended its voluntary services to assist with the organising efforts. A total of 50 BMS IT volunteers actively participated, helping with tasks such as arranging flowers, assisting couples, and serving food. This year, there was a noticeable reduction in waste. Even the plates used were made from dry leaves, and natural foods were served during the marriage ceremony. Crowd management posed another challenge, as the number of guests exceeded expected levels. On the first day, volunteers served water in paper cups; however, due to the hot weather, the demand was so high that the cups ran out before the event ended. Consequently, on the wedding day, half-litre PET bottles of water were distributed instead. Volunteers collected leftover water from each bottle and sent the PET bottles for recycling, while repurposing the collected water to water the plants in the area. By the end of the day, volunteers felt a sense of satisfaction in contributing positively to Mother Earth. Harish Uthaiah, Managing Trustee of People’s Trust, while thanking the volunteers, expressed interest in making the mass marriage a model eco-friendly event next year, as they prepare to celebrate the silver jubilee of this initiative soon.

Dr Selvarajan’s book release

December 7, 2024April 22, 2025Dr V Selvarajan Leave a comment

Book Title: ‘Our Environment, Our Concern’

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 118^th 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.