Hyderabad — A panel of scientists, policymakers and youth activists gathered at a Symposium-hosted discussion to press for more sustainable everyday habits and to recognise hands-on environmental stewardship.
Calls for conscious living amid climate uncertainty
The conversation, titled "Will Future Generations Forgive Us?", centred on how personal choices and community action can reduce climate risks as governments brace for climate events such as El Niño. Speakers included senior figures from research and industry, and the session aimed to link high-level climate thinking with practical lifestyle shifts.
"Adopt a conscious lifestyle for a sustainable world," urged Girish Mallpani, founder and chairman of Symposium.
Among those taking part were Vibha Dhawan, director general of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI); Asif Qureshi, head of the department of climate change at IIIT Hyderabad; and Goutham Reddy, chairman of CII. The panel also included noted environmentalist Ranjan Panda and Telangana's irrigation minister, N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, who said his department is preparing measures to reduce the impacts of El Niño.
Youth voices and grassroots recognition
Young climate advocates Avyana Mehta and Ariana Agarwal, both winners of the Global Earth Prize 2026, contributed to the discussion, highlighting the role young people play in shaping public awareness and demanding accountability.
The event mixed conversation with visual storytelling: artworks and documentation of local environmental projects were displayed for attendees. Symposium also took time to honour individuals working on the ground to protect and restore nature.
- Manveer Singh — artist and activist, recognised for environmental work
- Dusharla Sathyanarayana — forest conservation activist known as Telangana’s “Forestman,” presented with a cheque
| Name | Recognition |
|---|---|
| Manveer Singh | Felicitated for artistic and activist contributions |
| Dusharla Sathyanarayana | Presented with a cheque for ₹1 lakh in recognition of grassroots conservation |
The récompense of ₹1 lakh to Dusharla Sathyanarayana highlighted the organisers’ emphasis on supporting sustained local action alongside public debate. Attendees responded positively to the mix of policy discussion, youth input and grassroots showcases.
What it means for readers
For Lifestyle readers interested in sustainable living, the forum underscores how personal choices connect to larger climate outcomes and how community-level leaders can be supported. The gathering also suggests that cultural approaches — such as displaying art and celebrating local heroes — can boost engagement with environmental issues.
The Symposium event in Hyderabad modelled a combined approach: technical expertise, political acknowledgement and citizen-led conservation, offering a template for other communities aiming to blend conversation with concrete support for grassroots climate work.
