Inspired by the legacy of Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Rootskills, in collaboration with Shivsrushti Historic Theme Park, marked its first-ever memorable Earth Day celebration by bringing sustainability and cultural heritage together through an engaging and thought-provoking initiative. The event highlighted the relevance of traditional knowledge systems in today’s environmental context.
At the heart of the celebration was a unique contest themed “Forts as living examples of harmony with nature, efficient resource management, and sustainable living.” Conceptualised by Bhavisha Buddhadeo, Founder of Rootskills, the contest encouraged participants to explore how historic forts exemplify sustainable practices, from water conservation to the strategic use of natural resources. The thoughtfully curated theme by Rootskills was highly appreciated by Trustee Shri Jagdish Kadam ji and Shri Vinet Kuber ji. Mr. Kuber was felicitated by Team Rootskills with saplings of Parijat, Sonchafa, and Belpatra as a token of respect and celebration.
The event saw enthusiastic participation from industry leaders, students, educators, and environmentalists, who engaged deeply with the theme and presented insightful perspectives. Rootskills emphasised experiential learning through this initiative, connecting heritage education with contemporary sustainability challenges.
India Post (Dak Seva Jan Seva) played an integral role in the celebration, adding a nostalgic and meaningful dimension through a postcard-writing activity and a specially installed post box. This initiative successfully rekindled the charm of handwritten communication as a digital detox activity, creating lasting impressions among participants across generations.
The contest was evaluated by esteemed jury members Mrs. Vasantiben Gokani and Dr. Anindita Chaudhuri, whose expertise ensured a thoughtful and fair selection process. Miss Hridaya Sakore a student from Podar International School, Ambegaon (BK), secured first place in the offline student category. Urvi Patil and Ananya Upadhyay were awarded second place in the online category, while Mrs. Jyoti won first place in the educators’ category. Mrs. Taruja, a senior citizen and former Vice Principal of a government school, won first prize in the poem recitation competition. MIT School of Humanities under the aegis of MIT Art, Design & Technology University (MIT-ADTU), Pune students visited Shivsrushti for learning and won group competitions. The winners were felicitated by Mr. Anil Pawar ji, Senior Administrator at Shivsrushti.
Adding to the sustainability ethos, environmentalists and students Taksheel & Jaysheel Buddhadeo contributed indoor plants, seeds of native trees, and outdoor saplings to Shivsrushti. Rootskills also presented eco-friendly bamboo products and sustainable stationery to the winners, reinforcing its commitment to environmentally responsible practices.
This first Earth Day celebration at Shivsrushti stands as a strong example of how heritage can inspire sustainable living and innovation. Rootskills expressed its gratitude to all collaborators and participants and looks forward to continuing such impactful initiatives in the future.
