Recently, I had the privilege of being part of the hosting team for the ‘Satat Sammellan.’ The best part? I got to design the website and the logo. What is Satat Sammellan, you ask? Well, “Satat” means sustainable, and “Sammellan” means gathering. For a long time, EarthJust Ecosystems Foundation, my host organisation, had envisioned it. To bring together people from all walks of life to discuss, build, and act upon a shared commitment to sustainability. And guess what? We did it!
We successfully hosted the Satat Sammellan, gathering over a hundred participants in the lush green valleys of Shimla. Now, you might wonder what made it special. Wasn’t it just another sustainability conference? Let me tell you, it was anything but ordinary. This wasn’t your typical conference; it was more of an “unconference.” An unconference flips the script, making everyone a speaker and a listener—a space where all voices are equal.
Prakriti Se Sanskriti
The theme, ‘Prakriti se Sanskriti,’ translates to from nature evolves culture, and vice versa. Here, ‘Prakriti’ refers not only to the natural environment but also to the human-made environment. Both, after all, shape our choices, habits, and actions.
Ever heard of a sustainability event that’s inclusive of children? Probably not. At the Satat Sammellan, everyone was welcome, from a two-year-old to an eighty-year-old. Nirvair, our youngest participant, shared the space with Nat, our oldest. Each day, the children would gather in the centre of the hall, engrossed in drawing, playing, and colouring, while sessions carried on uninterrupted.
Aisha, my mentor’s six-year-old daughter, was also there. After one session, she showed us her drawing of Goa. On the other side of the paper she had “I Love You to Earth” written on it. No one had asked her to do this; yet, she understood instinctively why we were all there—for our planet. That, to me, is the power of creating an intergenerational space.
We believe everyone has dual roles—a professional and a social one. Climate change concerns a mother just as much as it concerns a CEO. This is why we encouraged participants to bring both ‘voices’. The gathering included social entrepreneurs, budding change makers, educators, industry leaders, farmers, students, policymakers, and international thought leaders. But beyond their titles, they were also daughters, fathers, mothers, sons, and citizens. Each perspective and mindset enriched the conversations. The event wasn’t just diverse in terms of professional and social roles—it was a true mix of cultures and locations.
Along with local participants, we had people from cities across India, including Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Lucknow, and Indore. Some had traveled all the way from the United Kingdom and New Zealand, while others joined virtually from places like Dubai, Italy, and Hungary. It was incredible to see such a global gathering come together for a shared purpose.
Zero Waste, Well Almost
How often have you attended events that truly walk the talk? Personally, I’ve seen very few. Either the water bottles are plastic, or the snacks come heavily packaged. Satat Sammellan was different. It was a sincere effort to make the event a zero-waste experience in the heart of Shimla’s valleys. We asked participants to bring their own water bottles, handkerchiefs, reusable cups, and bags—and they all did. Not a single person disregarded the request.
Homemade snacks by our team replaced packaged ones, creating a space free from single-use plastics. For some sessions, we took advantage of open spaces like the lawn. We soaked in the winter sun on green lawns while learning how to make compost. Inside, we let natural light and fresh air flow in. We segregated waste and made sure that dry waste was taken by our Waste Warriors to their material recovery facility. This was our way of ensuring that the event was as low-waste as possible, if not zero waste.
Swayam, Samudaaya Aur Samaaj
The three-day event was designed to take participants on a journey. The journey that curiously explored Swayam (the self) on the first day. Connected participants to the Samudaaya (the community) on the second. On the third day, participants collaborated and committed to a systemic change in the Samaaj (society).
Thought-provoking panel discussions, global sustainability practices virtual session, and astronomy talk touched the head. Unstructured, informal, interactive unconferences, theatre workshops and reading circles engaged the heart. Practical hands-on composting, bio-enzyme, and ploughing sessions to engage the hands. That’s how the Satat Sammellan connected the Head – Heart – Hands. This balance made the experience deeply transformative.
Natti Dance And Pre-Loved Fashion
Beyond the formal sessions, there were vibrant informal activities. On the first evening, a bonfire brought us together for the Natti dance, a cultural treasure of Himachal. While Himachalis flaunted their skills, the rest of us joined in with awe.
Regional barriers dissolved into laughter and joy as we all immersed ourselves in the Natti-night. But the night had more in store. What could be better than all our ‘voices’ joining together in harmony? To wrap up the evening, we had a musical soireé. We swayed on the mild melodies of old Bollywood classics as the night gently faded away.
We hosted a pre-loved fashion show—because who needs a regular one? That’s too ordinary. Pre-loved is the new trend! There’s something so special about showcasing heirloom jewellery or garments passed down through generations. Recycle, up-cycle, hand down, repurpose—there’s endless creativity in breathing new life into clothes and accessories.
The evening was a beautiful journey down memory lane, filled with heartfelt stories. It ended with tears of nostalgia, the joy of rediscovery, and the satisfaction of embracing sustainability. But above all, it was the sheer delight of sharing these emotions with everyone around us.
I Pledge
The final evening was all about collaboration. Participants pledged their ‘sankalps’ (commitments) to take forward what they had experienced and learned. From organising plogging drives to spreading sustainability awareness through self-help groups, each commitment aimed to turn individual and community actions into systemic change. The event ended with a deep sense of connection—to oneself, the community, and society.
Equality Is A Practice
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where a Bhutanese/Indian director shares the space with a chief secretary? And a student’s voice carries just as much weight as a principal’s? At Satat Sammellan, it was a reality. Participants didn’t want to leave the conference hall after the formal sessions; instead, they were eager to keep the conversations going. Nature and its elements were woven into every discussion.
Satat Sammellan was a truly equal space that encouraged open, raw exchanges. It wasn’t just about talking—it was about collaborating for a sustainable future. Organic conversations sparked collaborative creation, and that spirit turned ideas into action. The flexible agenda allowed nature to co-facilitate, making it a beautiful confluence of nature and culture in its purest form.
Looking back, I’m amazed at how easily hierarchical boundaries blurred within just three days. However, hosting such a space was no easy task, but the EarthJust team made it look seamless. Months of effort paid off as the Satat Sammellan stayed true to its principles, leaving participants with nothing but positive reflections and a sense of purpose. It was a confluence—of ideas, of generations, of actions—and a step towards a more sustainable future.
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