To commemorate World Earth Day, Mahindra Lifespaces and 5waraj organised a green summit and launched the ‘Sustainability Flipbook’
On World Earth Day, Mahindra Lifespaces, in collaboration with 5waraj, an non-profit working on reviving faith in Indian traditions and culture, organised a session ‘Combating Climate Change through Roti, Kapda, and Makaan’. The event was part of its ongoing initiatives to transform corporate professionals’ perception of sustainability, particularly in its local, Indian context, and to highlight its correlation with daily actions and life.
The two-part event began with an insightful exploration of the connection between Indian culture and climate through the lenses of food, clothing, and shelter, led by architect Gaurav Shenoy, Founding Member at 5waraj and Director at Psi Energy. He discussed the current state of sustainability discourse and its hegemonic capture by Western frameworks, which ironically promote the consumption of ‘green’ products instead of advocating for reduced consumption altogether. Mr Shenoy also highlighted how globalisation has led to the homogenisation of tastes and aspirations, driving the pursuit of material possessions that exacerbate the climate crisis while leaving people unsatisfied.
The second part of the event featured the unveiling of the ‘Sustainability Flipbook’ in the presence of the Mr Ankit Todi, Group Chief Sustainability Officer, Mahindra Group, and Mr Abhimanyu Mathur, Chief Marketing Officer, Mahindra Lifespaces. The flipbook aims to create a support ecosystem for both internal and external stakeholders by simplifying and de-jargonising sustainability concepts, thereby inspiring them to adopt sustainable lifestyles.
The event successfully underscored the importance of incorporating local contexts into the sustainability conversation. It reminded attendees that sometimes, solving large-scale problems doesn’t require looking outward but rather looking inward—toward the wisdom and practices found in our own homes—rather than seeking solutions solely through large international concepts.
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