“I distinctly remember spending my vacations amidst lush green fields and ‘mini forests’ in my village. It was an annual ritual my family followed – we would go to our hometown and stay there for a month or longer. My grandparents always lived in the village. Their backyard had huge trees. We would pick fresh vegetables for meals. That’s the kind of environment I grew up in. So, it was natural for me to enjoy nature and understand the necessity to protect it. But I have come across people who don’t look at it the way I do. For them, it’s about development and luxury. Cutting down trees and disturbing forests and wildlife is okay. “How does it affect us”, they ask. Whether trees are being cut down far away in the west or there is unnecessary plastic being disposed into water bodies in the east, every step affects each one of us. To make this point loud and clear, I started working with various NGOs who create awareness. In my journey, I’ve met people who’ve taught me so much, even without the intention of teaching. I’ve seen that issues like environmental damage, social abuse and inequality still exist while people blatantly deny it. I’ve met women who say it’s common and acceptable for the husband to drink and abuse them because that’s how it has always been. Initially, it used to disturb me. But now, I explain it to them that it’s never okay. One shouldn’t be discriminated based on their gender, caste or race. Opportunities should be given to people without any biases. As educated and civilised people, it’s our duty to set right everything that’s going wrong. They’re all burning issues and we need to stand up before it’s too late. We can’t live in denial anymore!”

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