Forests, Happiness, and Interconnected Futures Posted on June 14, 2026June 14, 2026 by Divya Priya Previous Next Our team participated in the “Forest-Bound: Entangled Happiness” Symposium, an international dialogue exploring the relationship between forests, well-being, ecology, and society. The symposium brought together researchers, environmentalists, legal experts, educators, and conservation practitioners to reflect on how human well-being is deeply interconnected with the health of natural ecosystems.The multi-day event featured immersive forest experiences, discussions on nature conservation, environmental governance, and the rights of nature, creating a platform for meaningful exchange between local and international participants. A notable highlight was the Moot Court on Forest Rights and Happiness, which encouraged critical discussions on environmental justice and the role of forests in sustaining life and well-being.The symposium witnessed participation from representatives of the Alliance Française, the French Consulate in Puducherry, and international botanists and environmental practitioners from Bhutan, fostering valuable cross-cultural and interdisciplinary dialogue. The event reinforced the importance of protecting forests not only as ecological assets but also as vital contributors to community well-being, resilience, and a sustainable future.Through initiatives such as these, Aurovanam continues to serve as a space for environmental learning, collaboration, and reflection on humanity’s relationship with the natural world.
Interactive Session on Traffic, Parking, and People’s Mobility Posted on January 13, 2026January 13, 2026 by Divya Priya Previous Next Interns from TISS participated in an interactive learning session on traffic and parking challenges in Puducherry, with a focus on people’s mobility and public convenience. The session was organised by the Centre for Environment Education (CEE) in collaboration with Svarnim Puducherry and created a platform for students to understand real-life urban mobility issues beyond textbooks. During the discussion, participants explored key themes such as congestion in busy junctions, lack of organised parking spaces, pedestrian safety, and the impact of increasing private vehicle use on urban livability. They reflected on how everyday mobility affects access to workplaces, schools, markets, and public services. The session also highlighted the importance of walking, cycling, and public transport as sustainable transport options. Interns actively engaged in group activities, case discussions, and experience-sharing exercises. They suggested practical, citizen-centric solutions such as designated parking zones, improved footpaths, awareness campaigns, and responsible road behaviour. The session helped students connect policy perspectives with on-ground realities and strengthened their ability to think critically about urban planning and community well-being. Overall, the programme served as both an awareness and capacity-building experience, encouraging young learners to contribute thoughtfully toward creating safer, more accessible, and people-friendly mobility systems in Puducherry.
Interns from TISS participated in an interactive learning session on traffic and parking challenges in Puducherry, with a focus on people’s mobility and public convenience. The session was organised by the Centre for Environment Education (CEE) in collaboration with Svarnim Puducherry and created a platform for students to understand real-life urban mobility issues beyond textbooks. During the discussion, participants explored key themes such as congestion in busy junctions, lack of organised parking spaces, pedestrian safety, and the impact of increasing private vehicle use on urban livability. They reflected on how everyday mobility affects access to workplaces, schools, markets, and public services. The session also highlighted the importance of walking, cycling, and public transport as sustainable transport options. Interns actively engaged in group activities, case discussions, and experience-sharing exercises. They suggested practical, citizen-centric solutions such as designated parking zones, improved footpaths, awareness campaigns, and responsible road behaviour. The session helped students connect policy perspectives with on-ground realities and strengthened their ability to think critically about urban planning and community well-being. Overall, the programme served as both an awareness and capacity-building experience, encouraging young learners to contribute thoughtfully toward creating safer, more accessible, and people-friendly mobility systems in Puducherry.
Internship Program for TISS Students: Immersive Exposure to Grassroots Development Posted on December 6, 2025December 6, 2025 by Divya Priya Previous Next A batch of five interns from TISS completed a month-long orientation and actively participated in various Svarnim programs, gaining comprehensive exposure to field-based development work. The internship was designed to provide a practical understanding of community engagement, environmental stewardship, and program implementation across diverse contexts.During their placement, the interns learned about conducting water audits in schools, including data collection, observation methods, and awareness activities that help students become responsible water stewards. They also supported focus group discussions with coastal communities and women’s groups, contributing to qualitative insights on local needs, resource challenges, and livelihood perspectives.In addition, the interns spent time understanding the operational aspects of Svarnim’s field initiatives, observing how projects are planned, coordinated, monitored, and documented. This exposure helped them appreciate the interconnected roles of community participation, government partnerships, and technical expertise in driving sustainable change.Overall, the internship offered the students valuable and grounded insights into the realities of grassroots development work, strengthening their analytical and field engagement skills while contributing meaningfully to ongoing project activities.
Interactive Session on Traffic & Parking Issues: Engaging Citizens in Mobility Solutions Posted on December 6, 2025December 9, 2025 by Divya Priya A 10 days’ Field Institute was organized by 25 post-graduate students Urban Planning from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, (TISS) Mumbai in collaboration with CEE Ahmedabad and Svarnim Puducherry from 22nd November to 3rd December 2025. The field institute looked at existing policy and looked at challenges in implementation by interacting with various stakeholders including various government departments and key officials and the general public through a mix of surveys, transect walks, interviews culminating in a randomly selected citizen’s jury who gave their perspectives and lived experiences towards a sustainable mobility plan for Puducherry. The session aimed to create a platform for citizens to better understand the structural issues behind urban mobility and to collaboratively explore possible improvements to local transportation systems.Participants engaged in guided discussions on practical measures that both the public and government can adopt—from encouraging non-motorized transport and responsible parking behaviour to strengthening policy enforcement, redesigning public spaces, and integrating sustainable mobility practices. The dialogue emphasized the importance of shared responsibility in creating safer and more efficient commute environments.The program helped bring diverse voices together, reinforcing the need for collaborative problem-solving in addressing mobility issues and supporting ongoing efforts toward a more organized and people-friendly urban environment.