Since this is our first experimental attempt, we don’t have exact photos to showcase. However, the ones we’ve included are fairly relevant to the individuals involved and the workshops they’ll be leading. “Please consider these images as reference points for now”.

Starting our first day early at 6AM with the Chennai coastline study trail, starting from Besant Nagar beach and stretching all the way to Kattupalli region.

This session will be led by Prashant J, a wetland researcher, climate educator, and passionate campaigner with over nine years of dedication to environmental advocacy and social justice. He’s also the co-founder of the Chennai-based youth collective “Chennai Climate Action Group”

This is a half-day workshop covering several key locations, where we’ll explore and discuss topics such as "coastal erosion, the history of the Ennore Thermal Power Plant (TPP), resettlement of local communities, and the broader environmental impact of TPPs". We’ll also dive into the importance of wetlands, floodplains, and sand dunes.

There’ll be a scheduled break for breakfast and refreshments, which we’ll be arranging.

We’ll conclude this segment with a group discussion to reflect on learnings, observations, feedback and Q&A to each individual.

After wrapping the awareness series, we’ll have lunch together and board an electric bus to Auroville.

Upon arrival, we’ll rent scooters—the most efficient way to get around Auroville’s narrow, muddy roads—and check into our accommodations. We’ve shortlisted a couple of stay options and will finalize them based on participant preferences.

After a short rest, we’ll gather for a self-introductory session, giving everyone a chance to share their background and what brought them to this workshop. This will be followed by a briefing about Auroville and the plans for the upcoming days. The evening is for relaxation and settling in.

Day 2: After breakfast, we start our day at Pebble Garden, diving into the core ideas of adaptation practices.

This session will be led by Deepika Kundaji, founder of Pebble Garden—once an arid piece of land, now transformed into a thriving forest of native species, seeds, and a food garden. Deepika is well-known for her work in indigenous seed conservation and distribution, and is the author of Reviving Vegetable Diversity. She’s also a recipient of a national award from the president.

We will cover topics such as Permaculture, soil regeneration, importance of indigenous seed conservation and reforestation. We will get to know more about her works in this area and engage in a meaningful discussion.

We’ll step out for lunch and take some downtime in the afternoon to rest and avoid the heatwaves.

The evening is left open for exploration. Auroville always has something happening—be it music jams, sound healing, African drumming circles, yoga, or meditation . Depending on the group’s vibe, we might choose to explore an experience together, or you’re free to pursue what interests you most. Auroville also holds some unique dining options.

Day 3 : We’ll begin early with a birdwatching session and an exploration of Auroville’s wetlands.

The rest of the day will be spent at the Sadhana Forest, a globally acclaimed project centered around reforestation through community living and sustainable practices.

This part will be led either by Aviram Rozin who’s a founder and director of Sadhana Forest or Luke Marsh, a dedicated Human and animal rights activist.

We’ll dive into a variety of themes including "water conservation, renewable energy, veganism, reforestation, and climate science"—all explored through the lens of community-driven sustainable living. We’ll also share a vegan breakfast and lunch with the Sadhana Forest community.

Beyond all these, simply hearing the story of Sadhana forest is sure to leave everyone with inspiration.

In the evening, we’ll visit Matrimandir—the iconic golden globe at the heart of Auroville—and then explore the Swaram Sound Garden to deepen our understanding of Auroville’s atmosphere.

After that, we board the bus back to Chennai, arriving late in the evening.

As our journey wraps up, we’ll come together for a final group dinner in Chennai to share our experiences, reflections, and learnings. We say our goodbyes—taking home not just a wealth of insights, but also lifelong connections with mentors and fellow changemakers, and a renewed path toward sustainability.