Age 3
Tree n Me Initiative
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My journey with sustainability began at the age of three, when I asked my mother for a forest instead of toys. The journey of plantation started at my school and from there, together we went on to plant over 30,000 Lakshmi Taru trees across different spaces—an experience that shaped my understanding of responsibility, care, and environmental stewardship from a very young age.
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Watching forests grow around me gave me a sense of purpose that has stayed with me ever since. It was the beginning of a lifelong connection with nature and environmental action.
As I became more aware of pollution, plastic waste, and environmental degradation, I began asking deeper questions about the future of our planet.
In Grade 4, I launched my first environmental awareness campaign focused on reducing plastic waste in school and everyday life. Through posters, presentations, and awareness activities, I encouraged students and families to rethink small daily habits and understand the impact of individual choices.
This experience taught me that meaningful change often begins with simple conversations and small actions.
2021–2022
Environmental Advocacy, Plastic Awareness Campaign
In Grade 5, I transformed my environmental work into a larger public awareness initiative through a sustainability-focused Instagram platform.
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Using original poems, awareness posters, short videos, and educational content, I created conversations around:
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Plastic pollution
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Microplastics and marine life
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Climate awareness
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Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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Responsible living
The platform grew to over 3,000 followers and became one of my earliest experiences in combining creativity, communication, and advocacy to inspire environmental awareness.
2022–2023
Environmental Advocacy, Social Media Platforms
May 2024
Waste to Art: Sliced Sea
Art became an important part of my environmental journey as I began exploring how creativity could communicate difficult environmental realities in a more emotional and human way.
One of my early sustainability artworks, Sliced Sea, was created using recycled materials to represent the beauty and fragility of marine ecosystems affected by pollution.
The work focused on themes such as:
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Marine conservation
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Ocean pollution
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Human impact on ecosystems
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Climate awareness through visual storytelling
The project was featured in school publications and later recognized by senior government officials, including the Secretary of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India.
In 2025, I was selected as an Environmental Research Intern with the Department of Environment, Government of Delhi.
During the internship, I researched:
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Urban air pollution
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Construction and demolition waste management
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Vehicular emissions
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Environmental governance
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Government-led sustainability initiatives
I authored 3 research articles analyzing government strategies for pollution mitigation, including dust control measures, construction and demolition (C&D) waste management, vehicular emissions, waste reduction, and national policy frameworks (CAQM initiatives).
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As part of the internship, I also conceptualized and presented a microplastic-based art installation and original poem titled The Cry Beneath the Surface to Hon’ble Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa.
The experience strengthened my belief that research, policy, and creative advocacy can work together to create meaningful environmental conversations.
June 2025
Environmental Research Internship, Ministry of Environment, Government of Delhi
DUALITY was my first solo art and poetry exhibition, conceptualized and curated around the idea that our world exists in two parallel realities:
one where nature is protected, and another where it is neglected.
The exhibition featured:
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32 original artworks and poems
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Installations focused on pollution and climate change
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Themes of human responsibility and environmental reflection
Over 1,500 visitors attended the exhibition, and more than 100 environmental pledges were made during the exhibition period.
The exhibition received media coverage across India and Asia, helping bring youth-led environmental conversations to larger audiences.
For me, DUALITY was not simply an art exhibition — it was an attempt to turn awareness into emotion, reflection, and action.
September–October 2025
DUALITY | Solo Art & Poetry Exhibition, College of Art, Delhi
December 2025
Art Exhibition, IB Festival of Hope, Pathways School Gurgaon
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I was selected as a featured artist at the IB Festival of Hope hosted by Pathways School Gurgaon.
The exhibition showcased artworks centered around:
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Hope
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Sustainability
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Resilience
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Positive social change
The experience allowed me to engage with educators, students, artists, and changemakers while using creativity as a medium for dialogue and impact.
As part of my sustainability research, I conducted field studies at the Okhla landfill and the Timarpur-Okhla Waste Management Company Limited (TOWMCL) Waste-to-Energy Plant.
The research focused on:
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Landfill systems
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Biomining processes
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Waste-to-energy technologies
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Urban waste management challenges
Following the research, I authored a detailed report and presented my findings and recommendations to officials from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).
This experience deepened my understanding of the connection between environmental research, public systems, and civic responsibility.
March 2026
Waste Management Research, Okhla Landfill & TOWMCL
March 2026
Child Prodigy Recognition, Government of NCT Delhi
On International Women’s Day 2026, I was recognized as a Child Prodigy for Art, Literature, and Environmental Advocacy by the Department of Women & Child Development, Government of NCT Delhi.
The recognition celebrated my work in:
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Environmental storytelling
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Sustainability advocacy
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Art-based awareness
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Youth-led impact initiatives
I was honored by Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta during the ceremony.
November 2025 - Present
Swachh Kal Eco Club, Pathways School Gurgaon
I founded the Swachh Kal Eco Club at Pathways School Gurgaon to create a student-driven space focused on sustainability, environmental responsibility, and urban ecological awareness.
One of the club’s major initiatives included organizing a field visit to the Timarpur-Okhla Waste-to-Energy Plant in collaboration with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).
Through these experiences, students explored:
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Waste segregation systems
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Biomining processes
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Landfill management
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Green energy conversion technologies
The club aims to make sustainability more interactive, practical, and community-oriented for students.
May 2026 – Present
Community Advocacy & Fundraising, Child Rights and You (CRY) NGO
Driven by a passion for child rights and social advocacy, I work closely on the ground with CRY (Child Rights and You) to create meaningful, community-led change.
The collaboration focuses on:
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Conducting on-the-ground fieldwork through comprehensive field visits to assess grassroots challenges firsthand
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Spearheading a fundraising campaign with the goal of raising ₹2,00,000 to support essential development initiatives
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Partnering my initiative, Swachh Kal, with CRY to design and distribute educational booklets and host interactive youth workshops
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Following these projects, I was invited by CRY as a guest speaker on World Environment Day (5th June) to share my journey as an environmental advocate with 53 children from across the New Delhi NCR region.
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This experience deepened my understanding of the connection between environmental health, child rights advocacy, and civic responsibility to empower the next generation
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November 2025 - Present
Swachh Kal Initiative
At 14, I founded Swachh Kal, a student-led sustainability initiative to transform environmental awareness into meaningful action through behavioral change and habit formation.
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The initiative is built around four sustainability pillars:
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Air
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Trees & Biodiversity
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Waste Management
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Water Conservation
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Through storytelling, real-life dilemmas, interactive activities, and simple everyday habits, Swachh Kal helps primary school students understand that sustainability is not about perfection, it's about the small choices we make every day.
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Key initiatives include:
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Authored a bilingual (English–Hindi) educational booklet for primary school students.
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Collaborated with the Directorate of Education, Government of NCT Delhi to integrate Swachh Kal into government schools, with the official booklet featured on the Directorate's website, supporting a city-wide rollout across 1,100+ schools and reaching 18 lakh+ students.
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Recognized by The Business Guardian and Art Affairs for driving youth-led environmental impact.
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Currently developing a behavioral-science-based mobile application that encourages children to build lasting sustainable habits.
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October 2025 – Present
Author, Artspoken
At 14, I published Artspoken, my first collection of original artwork and poetry, using creative expression to encourage conversations around sustainability, environmental responsibility, and conscious living.
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The project includes:
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Original artwork and poems created from childhood through the age of 14.
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Official book launch at Kunzum Books, Greater Kailash II, New Delhi.
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Launch attended by Shri Ashish Kumar Bhutani, IAS and Ms. Rashmi Singh, IAS as Chief Guests, along with Mr. Rohit Sen Bajaj and Ms. Dimpu Sharma as Special Guests.
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Available for purchase online, extending its reach beyond the launch event.
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Through Artspoken, I hope to inspire readers to see art not just as a form of expression, but as a catalyst for reflection, environmental awareness, and positive change.
MEHR DHAWAN
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