Ashoka University Celebrates SDG Flag Day: A Step Towards Global Sustainability

On 25th September 2024, Ashoka University’s campus buzzed with excitement as the Office of Sustainability hosted the SDG Expo, marking the UN SDG Flag Day. The event, which highlighted the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), brought together the university’s academic community, student-led initiatives, offices, and external partners to showcase their collaborative efforts toward a sustainable future.

The SDG Expo was not only a celebration but also a demonstration of Ashoka University’s commitment to global sustainable development. By aligning projects, innovations, and community efforts with the 17 SDGs, the Expo underscored Ashoka’s dedication to fostering inclusivity, responsibility, and sustainability.

The event’s main attraction, the “Tree of Hope,” symbolized the revitalization of life and nature. Prof. Gautam Menon, the Director of the Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability and Dean of Research, tied the first message of hope to the dying tree followed by the community members. The positive messages hung on the dying tree infused it with their hopes and aspirations towards a sustainable future. Bringing hope and life, Prof. Somak Raychaudhury, the Vice-Chancellor of Ashoka University, tied a green leaf, adding soil, and watering it—a symbolic gesture of hope, renewal, and the nurturing of a dying tree into a symbol of life and resilience.

Each SDG stall was informative and creatively showcased unique student initiatives and collaborations. For example, NEEV aligned its efforts with SDG 4, Quality Education, by mentoring and teaching students from the village of Asavarpur. The Rotaract Club, in alignment with SDG 1-No Poverty, highlighted its donation drives in slum areas of Delhi and Sonipat. The Project Pulp by AU SDG Soc demonstrated responsible consumption by creating stationery products from recycled materials, supporting SDG 12.

Ashoka Centre for Well-Being supported SDG 3, Good Health and Well-Being, with activities such as painting, positive note writing, and a creative initiative called “Pick a Smile,” where participants could select chits from a clay pot filled with encouraging messages. Gender Equality (SDG 5) and Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8) were represented by Enactus, CLAD, and the Impact Club, which empower rural communities by creating employment opportunities. Additionally, student Vedant Nath showcased his ongoing collaboration with LooCafe to develop sustainable toilets, addressing SDG 6, Clean Water and Sanitation. These stalls not only highlighted alignment with specific SDGs but also demonstrated how Ashoka’s students are driving impactful change through innovation and collaboration.

The event also featured interdisciplinary dialogues on sustainability. Research teams from the sciences, mentored by Professors Imroze Khan, Divya Karnad,Kritika Garg, Shivani Krishna,Balaji Chattopadhyay supported SDGs 13, 14, and 15, and engaged in discussions with students and faculty from economics and other fields. These conversations enabled a cross-pollination of ideas, where students from diverse disciplines offered new perspectives on how scientific research is perceived and applied in fields like economics. This interdisciplinary exchange was a key objective of the event, fostering collaboration and a deeper understanding of sustainability challenges across various domains.

Ashoka Centre for Policy, Environment, and Technology (ACPET) represented SDG 7, addressing the challenge of a context-responsive energy transition that supports sustainable development. The team led by Ekanto Gosh from the Centre for Entrepreneurship showcased their role as a creative hub for SDG 9, driving innovation and fostering entrepreneurial initiatives across the Ashoka community. Prachi Mishra, a Young India Fellow, represented Project Nilay and Safe Odisha for Her under SDG 16, advocating for a safer environment for children, transgender individuals, and women through activism and interventions. Himanshi Singh presented LiveGreen@Ashoka for SDG 17, highlighting the power of partnerships and collaborative projects to promote sustainability within and beyond Ashoka University.

A Collective Effort for Change

The SDG Expo highlighted the contributions demonstrating the breadth of involvement across the university:

SDG 1: No Poverty – Rotaract Club
SDG 2: Zero Hunger – Channel 9
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being – Ashoka Centre for Well-Being
SDG 4: Quality Education – NEEV
SDG 5: Gender Equality – CLAD and Impact Club Ashoka University
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – LooCafe
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – Ashoka Centre for a People-centric Energy Transition
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Enactus
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – Centre for Entrepreneurship
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – RUHI
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – AU SDG SOC, Ashoka Women in Finance Society (AWIFS), Environment Ministry
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Centre for Social Impact and Philanthropy, Goonj (an NGO), Rotaract Club
SDG 13: Climate Action – Prof. Imroze Khan and Research Team, Department of Biology & ACCESS
SDG 14: Life Below Water – Prof. Divya Karnad’s Research Group, Department of Environmental Studies
SDG 15: Life on Land – Prof. Shivani Krishna, Prof. Balaji Chattopadhyay, and Prof. Kritika Garg & Research Group, Department of Biology and Horticulture Department
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – Prachi Mishra, Project Nilay, Safe Odisha for Her
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – LiveGreen@Ashoka

Engagement, Learning, and Fun

In addition to the vibrant displays and insightful presentations, the SDG Expo was packed with interactive activities designed to engage the Ashoka community. Attendees had the chance to participate in games and challenges in each stall, winning prizes while learning about sustainability.

The Expo also provided a platform to network with various student clubs, societies and university research centres, making it an excellent opportunity for students to expand their knowledge and connect with like-minded individuals. Various organic food options, including refreshing smoothies and sweets by Channel 9, further enhanced the event.

As the day drew to a close, the excitement continued with a lucky draw, bringing a fun conclusion to a day filled with learning, networking, and action for a better future.

Ashoka University’s celebration of SDG Day marks an important step in its ongoing journey toward creating a more inclusive and sustainable world, ensuring a brighter tomorrow for all.