Meet Ramesh Chandran, the founder of Vinisha, a remarkable environmental initiative in Kolkata. With a background in commerce and a diploma in business management, Ramesh has transitioned from a corporate career to become a passionate advocate for environmental conservation. Through Vinisha, he engages with schools and children, inspiring them to become ‘Climate Warriors’ through various initiatives that include environmental awareness, seed distribution, and plantation projects. Ramesh’s journey showcases his deep commitment to nurturing a greener and more sustainable world for future generations.

 

1- Tell us something about yourself?

 

I am Ramesh Chandran, 66 years of age, with a background in commerce and a diploma in business management. Born on 5th June, 1957, in Kolkata, I have been involved in a diverse range of pursuits throughout my life. During my service tenure between 1980 and 1989 with two different companies, circumstances led me to transition to entrepreneurship when the establishment I was working for closed down. This decision necessitated managing a business with a team of around 25 employees, which operated until its closure in 2019, shortly before the onset of the Covid-19 Pandemic.

 

Beyond my professional endeavors, I have actively pursued social welfare activities, including organizing regular blood donation camps and providing assistance to those in distress. These opportunities to serve have been personally meaningful, and I attribute their existence to the benevolence of a higher power, disclaiming any personal credit.

 

My profound love and unwavering respect for Mother Nature has prompted me to take conscious actions to safeguard the environment. In 2010, I initiated Vinisha, a project dedicated to creating a better world for all living beings. Our efforts encompass diverse initiatives, such as engaging with schools to encourage students to champion the cause of environmental preservation, teaching them about house plant propagation, conducting environment awareness quizzes and environment walks, as well as organizing regular events involving schools to raise awareness about environmental concerns.

 

The inception of Vinisha was influenced by the guidance of a well-wisher who emphasized the importance of giving back to society as we progress in life. Taking this counsel earnestly, my commitment lies in striving for a pollution-free and breathable world for the betterment of future generations.

 

2- You deal with little kids and schools through Vinisha – how does it work?

 

Amidst the backdrop of climate change, escalating global warming, rising sea levels, extreme weather events, melting glaciers, and increasing pollution levels, I recognized the urgent need for meaningful action. As a response, the initiative Vinisha was established in 2010, in collaboration with like-minded individuals who shared a similar vision.

 

The name Vinisha signifies – the first ray of sun…the ray of hope…a goddess…a butterfly!

 

Integral to Vinisha’s mission is the staunch belief that the school-going generation holds the key to restoring environmental harmony. We seize every opportunity to visit schools, engage with students, and facilitate transformative change.

 

Our engagements with schools encompass various initiatives, including conducting awareness-raising sessions on environmental protection, hosting environment awareness quizzes, creating environmentally-conscious messages on old t-shirts by painting, providing education on houseplant propagation, fostering a culture of seed collection, and enlisting student assistance in crafting seed packets, among other endeavors.

 

To further boost out impact, Vinisha orchestrates 2-3 events annually at various locations in Kolkata, inviting schools to actively participate and contribute to raising environmental awareness.

 

In terms of governance and accountability, Vinisha is formally registered under the West Bengal Societies Registration Act. Additionally, we hold registration with the income tax authorities, that grant us eligibility for the 80G exemption, and we are duly registered with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs to receive CSR funds.

 

We remain steadfast in our commitment to safeguarding the environment and actively collaborating with the school community to foster a sustainable and ecologically conscious future.

 

 3 – Talk about your journey till date

 

The journey of Vinisha in service to Mother Nature has been truly remarkable, driven by an unwavering passion for environmental conservation.

 

A poignant memory that stands out is our cleaning and plantation project at the three dividers along the Prince Anwar Shah connector in 2014. Amid planting approximately 1,000 trees and hedges, we embraced the challenge of maintaining the site with enthusiasm and joy. Regular weeding and watering, lasting hours each day during non-monsoon seasons became a fulfilling activity for me, my son, my late friend Ashok and his son, and several other friends. Experiencing this endeavor together solidified our dedication to the cause.

 

Our commitment extends to seed collection, particularly of Neem, Mahogany, Curry Patta plant, and Areca Palm, which we nurture into saplings and generously distribute free of cost. These saplings are readily available outside our premises for anyone eager to plant them. Each year, we proudly distribute approximately 10,000 packets of seasonal seeds to students, a concerted effort to raise awareness about protecting the environment.

 

Notably, we distributed a staggering one lakh Areca Palm seeds to students of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Salt Lake, empowering them to cultivate saplings. We also donated over 1,000 Neem and Mahogany saplings, crafted by students of Bhavan’s Kolkata, to the Forest Department.

 

An exceptional achievement was the distribution of one lakh seed packets containing Coriander Seeds on Swamy Vivekananda’s 160th birth anniversary, on January 12, 2023. This significant feat is entirely credited to the students (the wings of Vinisha) from various schools in Kolkata, showcasing their profound dedication to our cause.

 

Through our efforts, we managed to collect and divert approximately 17,000 mango seeds, which had been carefully washed and dried by school students after consuming the fruit, to a nursery where they were nurtured into saplings.

 

One particularly touching occasion involved a 70 plus-year-old lady who generously provided us with numerous Neem seeds upon learning about our mission to cultivate one lakh Neem Saplings. The impact of our work even garnered heartfelt recognition from a taxi driver, who commended us on our efforts in cleaning and maintaining the PAS Road connector dividers, a gesture that touched my heart as he kindly offered my children and me, a ride in his taxi. These experiences underscore the profound passion that drives us to protect and cherish our environment, fostering a better world for generations to come.

 

4 – Kids are the “Climate Warriors” – Do you agree?

 

Being the founder of an initiative that firmly believes in the potential of the school-going generation to safeguard Mother Nature, Vinisha regularly conducts awareness programs at schools while actively seeking feedback from students on potential courses of action.

 

Our interactions with students have been truly enriching, filled with positive experiences and valuable perspectives to cherish.

 

During a recent seminar at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, held as part of their all India national integration camp, I presented a video depicting the challenges faced by farmers. The day following the seminar, I had the privilege of meeting a student from their Agartala branch who eloquently expressed her thoughts. As a class XII science student, she astutely assessed the session and raised a significant concern. While acknowledging the potential for positive change in the lives of farmers through environmental initiatives, she questioned the economic aspect of their well-being. She contended that for real progress to materialize, it is essential to ensure that the government’s support, relief, and grants effectively reach every farmer, ultimately making a tangible difference in their lives.

 

During yet another engaging session, when I highlighted the importance of water resources, a student in attendance revealed his commitment to the cause. Understanding the significant water consumption associated with producing a pair of jeans and recognizing water scarcity as an environmental concern, he expressed his decision to stop purchasing jeans as a personal contribution to water conservation.

 

These encounters exemplify the impactful dialogues we share with students, reinforcing Vinisha’s dedication to fostering environmentally conscious individuals who actively contribute to a sustainable future.