Culture as a Catalyst for Climate Resilience & Sustainable Peace

 🌍✨ Culture as a Catalyst for Climate Resilience & Sustainable Peace

📍 Varanasi — A women-led, intergenerational cultural movement speaks truth through art, dialogue & action during #WorldEnvironmentWeek.

“A Women-Led Initiative That Speaks Truth — Empowering voices, fostering inclusion, and driving change.”

🌱🎨 From rap to painting, stories to sustainability — discover how grassroots culture can heal our planet and our communities.

🔗 Read now: https://medium.com/@shruti_25784/culture-as-a-catalyst-for-climate-resilience-and-sustainable-peace-f90727712494

#ClimateJustice #SustainablePeace #WomenLead #CultureForChange #SDGs #ClimateAction #Peacebuilding #VaranasiVoices #InclusionMatters #MeraShehar #CommunityPower #ShrutiNagvanshi

Mera Shahar

 

Mera Shehar” Hosts 3rd Inclusive Cultural Program at Seth Anandram Jaipuria School, that Promotes Community Building and Sustainable Living on the Occasion of World Environment week.

Varanasi, June 7, 2025 – Social organization Mera Shehar hosted its second inclusive cultural event today at Seth Anandram Jaipuria School, celebrating Environment Day. The initiative aimed to promote creative dialogue, community collaboration, and environmental awareness among people of all ages and backgrounds.

The program featured open mic sessions, freestyle performances, and an art exhibition, drawing enthusiastic participation from youth, children, and senior citizens. This vibrant intergenerational exchange fostered inclusivity and strengthened cross-generational conversations.

This initiative by Mera Shehar reflects a dedicated effort toward community building—creating shared spaces where people connect through common interests and values. The event also effectively highlighted the message of environmental sustainability and the need to adopt greener, more responsible lifestyles.

• 

Sonal Upadhyay, CEO of Mera Shehar, said, “Our aim is to create spaces where individuals can express themselves freely and embrace socially and ecologically responsible ways of living.” 

This event stands as a powerful reminder that cultural engagement can act as a catalyst for both social cohesion and sustainable development.

मेरा शहर” ने सेठ आनंदरामजयपुरिया स्कूल में आयोजित किया तीसरा समावेशी सांस्कृतिक कार्यक्रम

Vskp-Admin June 8, 2025 टॉप न्यूज Leave a comment 176 Views

समुदाय निर्माण और हरित जीवनशैली को दिया बढ़ावा – विश्व पर्यावरण सप्ताह के उपलक्ष्य में

वाराणसी, 7 जून 2025 – सामाजिक संगठन “मेरा शहर” द्वारा आज सेठ आनंदराम जयपुरिया स्कूल, वाराणसी परिसर में विश्व पर्यावरण सप्ताह के अवसर पर तीसरे समावेशी सांस्कृतिक कार्यक्रम का आयोजन किया गया। इस कार्यक्रम का उद्देश्य विभिन्न सामाजिक और आयु वर्गों के लोगों को एक साझा मंच प्रदान करना था, जहाँ वे अपनी रचनात्मक अभिव्यक्तियों के माध्यम से संवाद, सहयोग और पर्यावरणीय चेतना को बढ़ावा दे सकें।

कार्यक्रम में ओपन माइक, फ्रीस्टाइल प्रस्तुतियाँ, और एक चित्रकला प्रदर्शनी का आयोजन किया गया, जिसमें युवाओं, बच्चों तथा वरिष्ठ नागरिकों ने बढ़-चढ़ कर भाग लिया। इस बहु-आयामी भागीदारी ने पीढ़ियों के बीच संवाद को सशक्त किया और समावेशिता को बढ़ावा दिया। 

कार्यक्रम की गरिमा को बढ़ाने हेतु मुख्य अतिथियों के रूप में उपस्थित थे:

• डॉ. लेनिन रघुवंशी – मानवाधिकार कार्यकर्ता

• विजय विनीत – वरिष्ठ पत्रकार

• पद्मनी मेहता – सामाजिक कार्यकर्ता

प्रमुख प्रस्तुतियाँ:

नृत्य – प्राची तिवारी, आकाश, प्रगति बिंद, मोनिका विश्वकर्मा

गायन व रैप संगीत – दीपक कुमार, काज़ी अख्तर, ऋषि, स्मार्ट लालू

मार्शल आर्ट्स प्रदर्शन – आरंभ अकैडमी

चित्रकला प्रदर्शनी – आकांक्षा, काजल, अनुराधा, अलिश्बा अंसारी, रिम्मी जायसवाल, विनीता, अमरजीत, आर्यन 

“मेरा शहर” की मुख्य कार्यकारी अधिकारी सोनल उपाध्याय ने इस अवसर पर कहा:

“हमारा उद्देश्य ऐसे मंच तैयार करना है जहाँ लोग अपनी अभिव्यक्ति के माध्यम से जुड़ सकें और सामाजिक व पारिस्थितिक रूप से जिम्मेदार जीवनशैली को अपनाएं।” 

यह आयोजन इस बात का प्रमाण है कि सांस्कृतिक गतिविधियाँ न केवल सामाजिक समरसता को बढ़ावा देती हैं, बल्कि सतत विकास की दिशा में भी एक उत्प्रेरक की भूमिका निभा सकती हैं।

https://anytimenews.live/mera-shehar-hosts-3rd-inclusive-cultural-program-at-shth-anandram-jaipuria-school-that-promotes-community-building-and-sustainable-living-on-the-occination-of-world-environment-week/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKzxz9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFXZlZmb2dJVURVY016RzE3AR4EfxUPELkyArxdlgu_yfHQQ6oJ9wJqGS-v4NKgPXNhr-ONMCe37Rtp7OZxBw_aem_EAikTfcupurohtXIZbJ2xw

https://vskipathshala.in/my-city-organized-the-third-inclusive-cultural-program-at-seth-anandramjapuria-school/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBT6pbfKEh8

Suresh K. Nair: Painting a Path to Sustainable Peace Through Art in a World Torn by Hatred

 🕊️ In a world torn by war & hate, artist Prof. Suresh K. Nair paints hope.

His miniature artworks & murals echo the spirit of Varanasi—diverse, inclusive, & sacred.

🎨 A global path to #SustainablePeace through art.

✍️ By @leninraghuvanshi

🔗 https://medium.com/@lenin_75290/suresh-k-nair-painting-a-path-to-sustainable-peace-through-art-in-a-world-torn-by-hatred-ee60856eb991

#ArtForPeace #SureshKNair #MiniatureArt #Varanasi #3H #Hope #HumanDignity #Honour #LokaSamasthaSukhinoBhavantu

🌿 Vitalità Resistente & The Voice of Grassroots Leadership: A Spotlight on Shruti Nagvanshi and JanMitra Nyas

 🌿 Vitalità Resistente & The Voice of Grassroots Leadership: A Spotlight on Shruti Nagvanshi and JanMitra Nyas

At the heart of eastern Uttar Pradesh’s socio-cultural transformation lies a quiet revolution powered by dignity, non-violence, and the unwavering commitment of grassroots leaders. One such leader is Shruti Nagvanshi, co-founder of JanMitra Nyas and the People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR), whose work continues to redefine community-led development and trauma-informed justice.

📚 New Ethnographic Study: Vitalità Resistente

From October to December 2023, Italian anthropologist Leonardo Verzaro conducted fieldwork with PVCHR in Varanasi, resulting in a powerful ethnography:

“Costruzioni e Trasformazioni del sé a Varanasi: etnografia di un’esperienza umanitaria”.

This study highlights testimonial therapy as a transformative, community-based healing practice that supports survivors of torture, caste violence, and gender-based oppression. At the center of this healing process is the idea of “vitalità resistente” — or resilient vitality — a spirit reclaimed by those once silenced, now publicly honored through PVCHR’s Honour Ceremonies.

📖 Read more:

• 🔗 Blog: Vitalità Resistente – How Lenin Raghuvanshi Turned Personal Pain into Collective Power

• 📄 Full Report in Italian (Scribd)

📰 Media Spotlight: JanMitra Nyas Takes on Child Marriage

In a recent report published by INext (Dainik Jagran, Hindi daily), Shruti Nagvanshi and her team at JanMitra Nyas were recognized for their critical role in verifying and addressing cases of child marriage. Through community-based vigilance and collaboration with local authorities, JanMitra Nyas has continued to champion the rights of young girls, reinforcing its commitment to safety, dignity, and justice.

🗣️ In Her Own Words: Interview with Great Companies

In a compelling interview with Great Companies, Shruti Nagvanshi shared the origins, challenges, and aspirations of JanMitra Nyas. Born out of the lived experience of fighting caste and gender injustice, her organization focuses on:

• Girls' education and scholarships

• Maternal-child health and nutrition

• Skill-building, kitchen gardens, and livelihoods

• Legal aid and trauma counseling for survivors

• Grassroots leadership and democratic empowerment

What sets JanMitra Nyas apart? Its fusion of Ambedkarite and Gandhian principles — transforming victims into leaders and fostering structural change with compassion and strategy.

“Start with empathy and humility. Co-create solutions. Stay grounded in your values, and your work will create meaningful change.”

— Shruti Nagvanshi

🔮 Looking Ahead

JanMitra Nyas envisions scaling its Dignity Village model, strengthening digital outreach, empowering youth and women leaders, and expanding climate-resilient solutions. With alliances across government, academia, and international networks, its model continues to influence the broader human rights ecosystem.

🙏 Gratitude & Global Solidarity

We are proud to share these efforts as part of our engagement with the UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture, whose support enables survivor-centric models like testimonial therapy to flourish. These stories are testaments to resilience, dignity, and the power of community healing.

In solidarity,

PVCHR Team

📧 pvchr.india@gmail.com

🌐 www.pvchr.asia

 

🌍 Shruti Nagvanshi: A Nobel Peace Prize Nominee Empowering the Marginalized

In a landmark moment for grassroots activism in India, Shruti Nagvanshi, co-founder of the People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR), has been officially listed among the female nominees for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022 on Wikipedia. Her name also appears on the List of individuals nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize (2000–present), marking a powerful acknowledgment of her lifelong dedication to peace and justice.

✊ A Life Dedicated to Human Rights

Shruti Nagvanshi has spent decades advocating for Dalits, women, children, and other marginalized communities in India. Through PVCHR, she has tirelessly fought against caste discrimination, gender-based violence, and systemic injustice. Her efforts focus not only on documenting human rights abuses but also on empowering survivors to reclaim their dignity and voice through education, legal aid, and social mobilization.

🕊️ Global Recognition for Grassroots Leadership

Shruti’s nomination stands as a testament to the power of bottom-up change. Unlike many global figures who receive attention through international platforms, Shruti’s recognition arises from years of dedicated work in local communities, particularly in Varanasi and eastern Uttar Pradesh—regions deeply affected by caste inequality and poverty.

The inclusion of her name in the Nobel Peace Prize nominee list symbolizes a growing recognition of local leadership in global peacebuilding.

🌱 Why Her Work Matters Now More Than Ever

In today’s polarized and often unjust world, Shruti’s work reminds us that real peace begins at the grassroots level. Her model emphasizes healing, participation, and accountability, empowering people to become agents of change in their own lives.

As war, inequality, and environmental injustice threaten global stability, leaders like Shruti Nagvanshi illuminate a path rooted in compassion, courage, and collective action.

🔗 Learn More:

• Shruti Nagvanshi – Wikipedia

• List of Female Nobel Nominees – Wikipedia

• List of Nobel Peace Prize Nominees (2000–present)

📢 Spread the Word

Let us honor Shruti Nagvanshi’s unwavering fight for justice. Share her story. Celebrate her work. Support her mission.

#ShrutiNagvanshi #NobelPeacePrize #HumanRights #SocialJustice #DalitVoices #WomensEmpowerment #IndiaForPeace #GrassrootsLeadership #PVCHR

लिव इन रिश्ते: मानवीय संबंधों के नए आयाम और सवाल

 

Bridging Borders for Peace & Climate Action!

 🤝✨ Bridging Borders for Peace & Climate Action!

Honored to meet Nepal’s peace icon Basu Gautam in Varanasi — uniting for sustainable peace, climate justice, and a vibrant South Asia. 🌏🕊️

Dive into our shared vision for a just and compassionate future. 🌱🔥

👉 Read here: https://medium.com/@lenin_75290/bridging-borders-my-meeting-with-nepals-peace-icon-basu-gautam-and-varanasi-s-cultural-2b53b4dee12b

#BridgingBorders #SouthAsiaUnites #PeaceBuilders #ClimateActionNow #LeninRaghuvanshi #BasuGautam #MeraShehar #YouthForChange #HumanRights #ArtForPeace #SDGs