SETU 2020 - Who Makes the City

In these Covid times, when everyone is striving desperately, seesawing between earning a living and staying away from the fatal scourge, a few schools have come together and initiated the daunting task of continuing not only their academics but also ensuring that their students perform their annual activities. Little Scholars, Kashipur has successfully conducted such an activity in order to enhance students' sociocultural leadership skills. This was done through a series of online webinars, interactive workshops, enriching group discussions, screen sharing, etc. Such digital conclaves were unheard of pre-Covid scenario. SETU KASHIPUR 2020 - WHO MAKES THE CITY, is an event conducted over a fortnight, commencing on the auspicious occasion of Gandhi Jayanti and culminating on October 17th, 2020. During the entire activity-oriented programme, many issues concerning the Bazpur- Kashipur- Jaspur belt of the Terai region were addressed by the student fraternity as well as eminent luminaries from diverse walks of human endeavour. It's an earnest quest to preserve our fragile ecology.

The hosts investigated, compiled and put up a power-packed presentation in the form of an interactive webinar Dronasagar - A Hydrological Disconnect. It is an initiative by SETU 2020 to reclaim and rejuvenate the wetlands in and around Kashipur. This curtain raiser on October 2nd brought together renowned environmentalists, leading architects, esteemed town planners, acclaimed naturalists and above all, enthusiastic students who are true stewards of our planet.

Professor KT Ravindran, former Head, Delhi School of Architecture and Planning with a stupendous and enriching experience of over three decades in various conservation programmes, and Mr. Manoj Mishra, IFS & convenor of Yamuna Jiye Abhiyaan shared their valuable expertise on conserving our dwindling ecosystem in the context of shrinking water resources. This digital workshop was duly moderated by architect Vasudevan R Kadalayil, who himself is a well-known town planner and reviver of lakes and ponds. Architect Vasudevan is an authority on contemporary and innovative concepts of town planning and Green building projects. These stalwarts shared their valuable experiences and also recommended a future course of the proposed action plan for a Resilient Kashipur 2030.

Little Scholars, Kashipur under the tutelage of Mr. Peeyush Sekhsaria, a well-known naturalist and also author of periodicals and publications on birds and other species along with Mr. Raman Kumar from Nature Science Initiative, an NGO based in Dehradun, conducted an exuberant interaction and workshop 'Birds In My Backyard', allowing students from various competing schools to observe their surroundings to enhance their appreciation of the bounties of Mother Nature. The main motive behind this activity is to provide the students a chance to amalgamate with their ecosystem.

The fortnightly programme would have remained a distant dream without zealous support and active involvement & collaboration of Professor KT Ravindran, Mr. Manoj Mishra, Mr. Peeyush Sekhsaria, Mr. Raman Kumar, Mr. Vasudevan R Kadalayil, Mr. Saurabh Popli, Mr. Amit Chawla, Ms. Aruna Bhardwaj, Ms. Sonal Thanawala, Ms. Maitaryee Mukherjee, Mr. Nipun Prabhakar and not to forget, SETU, Kashipur.

Apart from myriad activities organized over two weeks, SETU (Social Enterprise for Unified Understanding and Undertaking) envisages carrying forward its action plan in collaboration with 'Seasons Watch', an NGO. SETU 2020 intends to address various issues related to flora and fauna in compliance with aqua. Such fora shall be conducted and mapped on a monthly routine. For the moment, major focus is on continued efforts and not just an annual conclave.

The fortnightly itinerary also included an invigorating workshop on "Intergenerational Memories" under the expert guidance of Ms. Aruna Bhardwaj, Ms. Sonal Thanawala, Mr. Nipun Prabhakar and Ms. Maitaryee Mukherjee. The onus revolved around the novel concept of mapping catastrophic changes down the generations. Participants were asked to share their reminiscences of their recent experiences in contrast with those of their Grandparents and parents. It's an attempt to consolidate the process of data collection and thereafter, process and present the compiled information. Obviously, the theme was 'Our shrinking wetlands' and their impact on the entire ecosystem. With optimism, "Every long journey begins with a small step."