Theme: “Step Forward to Learn, Lead and Inspire – Raise Your Voice for the Environment”
Lucknow: The Department of Education, University of Lucknow, organized a Social Internship Program focused on environmental conservation, highlighting the need for active youth participation in sustainable development.
The program commenced with a warm welcome of Chief Guest Shri Durgesh Kumar by Prof. Dinesh Kumar, Dean, Faculty of Education, who presented him with a bouquet of flowers. The inauguration was marked by the lighting of the ceremonial lamp and garlanding of Goddess Saraswati’s idol, invoking blessings for wisdom and enlightenment.
Program Convener Dr. Hemendra Kumar Singh outlined the event’s objectives and elaborated on the role of youth in the National Environmental Youth Parliament (2022–2026). He emphasized that both soft and hard skills play a crucial role in driving effective environmental protection and community engagement.
In his address, Prof. Dinesh Kumar underlined the key goals of the Social Internship Program, stressing that small, consistent grassroots efforts are essential for long-term environmental conservation.
The Chief Speaker, Durgesh Kumar, shed light on the concept of “Environmental Sentinels” and their pivotal role in promoting awareness and responsibility within society. He remarked that in a capitalist system, individuals often think, “What will I gain?”, whereas the true question should be, “What can I contribute to society and the environment?” He further highlighted that the Government of India launched the Environmental Conservation Activity initiative in 2019, focusing on the protection of water, forests, and land.
He explained how, through the Social Internship Program, students engage in field visits and ground-level environmental activities, earning membership in SIPA (Social Internship for Protection of the Atmosphere). He also referenced the environmental contributions of tribal communities and appreciated the “One Plate, One Bag” campaign initiated during the Mahakumbh, which promotes sustainable practices.
During the session, students participated in group-based environmental activities, guided by Shri Durgesh Kumar, fostering awareness, sensitivity, and a deeper understanding of environmental symbols and practices.
The event saw active participation from the faculty members — Prof. Tripta Trivedi, Prof. Munesh Kumar, Prof. Akanksha Singh, Dr. Kiranlata Dangwal, Dr. Neetu Singh, Dr. Aparna Godbole, Dr. Suryanarayan Gupta, Dr. Devendra Kumar Yadav, Dr. Beena Indrani, and Dr. Poonam Srivastava — along with a large number of students.
The Social Internship Program concluded with a renewed commitment among students and faculty to act as agents of change, advocating for environmental protection and sustainable living in their communities.
