“Environment and society are the two things, I’ve always been passionate about. I have always had this dream of doing something for our society and the environment, which now are at even a greater risk. People are always neglecting how important these two things are. If we don’t realize our mistakes now, we will be risking our livelihoods too. It was in 2014, I had just came back to my hometown, Dehradun, from the UK. After completing my graduation in business administration from Lancaster University, I thought of doing something about it. Even though we have a family business and I had started to work there. I always felt something was missing in my life. The zeal and passion for the work was missing.
The following year I fell really sick and was on bed rest for more than a month. I had a lot of time in hand but didn’t know what to do with it. That was the turning point for me. I finally started contemplating about my goals in life and where my interests lie truly. After getting discharged from the hospital, I started working towards finding my passion.
In 2015, I started this movement called the “Dehradun drum circle movement”, to bring people together from all walks of life in the act of self-expression and celebrating life through music. These social gatherings would often take place in public places where people would express themselves through drumming, singing, and dancing. These gatherings would set the mood for the whole place and listening to each other would bring joy to everyone. It was my initiative to bring people together to share their joy, their journey, and their wisdom with others. One thing these social gatherings taught me was that we are better when we are together. Sharing our joy and misery with each other really brings out the best version of us. Society becomes a better place to live in when people care about each other.
Next year in 2016, I started another project called “Evolve Foundation”. It is a b2b social enterprise that produces plantable stationery. These stationery products like a pencil, paper, notebook, cards, and calendar are made with biodegradable and recycled resources. So they are environment friendly and produce no waste. These stationery items when used completely (for ex- after using a pencil or finishing a notebook), can be burried into the ground for growing a plant.
This is because these products are embedded with seeds in them and that’s why these are called plantable stationery. With the “Evolve Foundation”, we are not only making products that are safe for the environment. But also creating jobs for the rural population as the production process and the buying of seeds takes place in the rural areas. Evolve Foundation has always aimed to help and support farmers and rural people. I believe they are the backbone of the foundation. Without their knowledge and hard work, none of this would have been possible.
I was happy and satisfied with what I am doing. But I also wanted to grab every opportunity to make a safe and healthy environment. I co-founded another organic food and wellness brand called “Kiwi Kisan Window”. It aims to provide the best quality and natural food to everyone. This brand also works to help and support farmers from rural India. By supporting the farmers, we are working for the betterment of the agriculture sector of our country.
So far I think I am able to achieve what I was striving for, only because I talked to myself and realised that I need to do something that will make me happy and proud. I have finally found my passion for work and I only dream to do better in life. I always feel lucky to have my parents who have always had my back. I’m most thankful to them for always supporting me and guiding me throughout my journey. I hope I keep giving the best I can to my country, to the humankind, and to the environment, besides spreading love and happiness all around. After all, this is what we’re here for!”
Instagram : @nupuragarwal20 @evolvefoundation
* the views expressed in the above article are of the writer and not the Winged Club.