With rapid urbanization there are rising issues of landfills, pollution, traffic and commotion. We all hope for better environment and communities, but millennial just took this a little ahead to share their ideas to build awareness with artworks, teasers and some actionable points for the most pertinent areas in our societies today. The youth were invited under “Spaces for Good” exhibit, organized by TRY for GOOD which builds awareness for sustainable environment and communities.
The youngsters from colleges and corporate were excited to participate in this concept. Maximum participation was for the topic of MY WEDDING. There is a hind sight to this beautiful celebration, which we cannot ignore as we grow in terms of population especially in the urban areas. As per the UN up to 40% food produced in India is wasted. Statistics say that India hosts approximately 2.5 crore weddings every year contributing to maximum food wastage. Besides, there are traffic jams, parking hassles, and undue ostentation impacting the ecosystem and the society negatively. The exhibit gave an important platform to the youth to express the kind of weddings they want; based on old traditions, no expensive trousseaus, using eco-friendly or recycled material, giving left overs to animal shelters and most important of all- limiting the number of guests or doing a faraway wedding followed by reception.
The other topics receiving great enthusiasm were MY TRANSPORT and I CONSUME & DISPOSE. Consumerism has shifted to developing economies. But can we afford to ape the western materialistic or the use and throw lifestyle- given the fact that India has about world’s 20% population with only 2% of its landmass. The youngsters did express the ways to embrace eco-friendly lifestyles. There was also a topic about ME & THE OLD/DISABLED. In the race of our never ending materialistic acquisitions, our priorities shift and inadvertently, we leave those behind who may need us the most. Do we take out time to meet such people in our community? The youth came up with touching expressions for the same.
There were over 50 entries received which were juried by eminent people in the sphere of Arts and visual artists from around the world– Bosuk Lee, Visual Artist and curator from South Korea, Ashwin Dalvi (Ex-Ex Chairman-Lalit Kala Academy, Rajasthan) and Anju (Initiator,TFG) from India, Roya Delkhosh from Iran, Dimbeng from Paris and George Callison from the US- all being visual artists in the sphere of sustainability.
The exhibit is open from March 10 till 20, 2019 at Spaces for Good, Malviya Nagar, Jaipur. Lamp lighting was followed by panel discussion with Sheela Chitnis, chairperson MSSI (Mumbai) who talked about need of compassion in the community. She shared her thoughts on how little time and care can nurture the old and disabled for better health. Dr. Abhinav Dinesh, Director-BITS Mesra, Jaipur talked about the importance of awareness among youth to form the future sustainable societies. Dr. G.P.Singh, Botanist and Environmentalist talked about how human actions impact climate action, and how immediate little steps can help see the bigger change.
Lamp lighting by Sheel Chitnis (Chairperson, MSSI, Mumbai)
About TRY for GOOD/ Initiator
TRY for GOOD (TFG) is a social initiative that conceptualizes & builds awareness for sustainability, especially among youth. Besides, it does consulting for campaigns for environment and community healthcare for NGOs, and other CSR initiatives. In the recent past, they had done nationwide Grow Safe food campaign and their work was also showcased on Science Express. TFG initiator, Anju was also invited for speaker presentations at prestigious global sustainable Advertising & Marketing forums.
Spaces for Good’ is an extension of the same which promotes a culture of consciousness through creative expressions, and also inclusion of those who are outpaced with rapid urbanization. In this exhibit- the topics on which the millennial have shared their ideas are My Wedding, My Transport, My Consumption & Disposal and Me and the old/ disabled in my community. The topics were carefully chosen by Anju who is a creative communications professional, pursuing sustainability actively. She initiated this as a campaign with interactive sessions at the colleges to build awareness and interest. Being a cartoonist a cause artist, she also did teasers for each of the topic herself. Anju had a done a solo exhibit of cartoons on sustainability on the Earth day in 2017. Her partner Sanjul Vaish leverages the concept sharing strong synergies, while some other key influencers and community members extend all possible support.