August 2025

HIGHLIGHT OF THE MONTH

Empowering Grassroots Champions at Vikasa Soudha

200+ Health Inspectors came together for hands-on training!

IEC & CB Workshop for Health Inspectors across Karnataka:

On 6th August, we had the privilege of conducting the second IEC & Capacity Building workshop for Senior & Junior Health Inspectors of Karnataka at the iconic Vikasa Soudha.

With 200+ participants, the interactive and hands-on sessions covered essential topics such as budget planning and developing practical execution plans for IEC & Capacity Building activities under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban).

Strengthening capacities at the grassroots is vital to building a landfill-free, cleaner, and greener Karnataka and this workshop was a significant step in that direction.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Karnataka for this opportunity and look forward to organising more such impactful workshops in the near future!

Rakshabandhan - A Sustainable Celebration:

This Rakshabandhan, our community women beautifully crafted upcycled rakhis filled with love, creativity, and care for the environment. Around 30 rakhis were sold, with every purchase supporting both sustainable practices and the livelihoods of our women artisans.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who chose to celebrate responsibly — embracing eco-friendly choices and contributing to a cleaner, greener planet!

PlogRun with Himalaya - Independence Day with Purpose:

On 15th August 2024, over 200 participants joined hands for a spirited PlogRun in Makali, celebrating Independence Day with action and awareness. Ahead of the event, two major dump sites were cleared with the support of the local Panchayat.

Together, we removed nearly 1 ton of waste, making the community cleaner and greener. This collective effort showcased the power of coming together — celebrating freedom by protecting the environment!

A big thank you to everyone who participated and supported this initiative!

Journey of Waste - Spreading Awareness at PES College:

On 20th August 2024, we were invited to PES College to conduct an engaging session on the Journey of Waste. Students and faculty explored practical ways to adopt a sustainable lifestyle and reduce waste in their daily lives.

We introduced the 6R’s – Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, Repair, and Recycle — simple yet powerful steps that can make a significant difference. The session also highlighted how low-waste celebrations can be hosted using natural or reusable décor, refill stations, eco-friendly cutlery, and sustainable gift wrapping while avoiding single-use plastics.

Additionally, we shared tips for low-waste travel, such as carrying personal hygiene kits, cloth bags, reusable bottles, and lunch boxes. Participants were encouraged to pick up litter when possible and make mindful choices that reduce disposables.

The session concluded with a focus on waste segregation into organic, recyclable, hazardous, and e-waste categories, empowering students to take responsibility and make informed choices for a healthier environment.

Clay Ganapathi Workshop - Celebrating Sustainability:

This Ganesh Chaturthi, we conducted a series of Clay Ganapathi workshops across multiple locations, receiving a wonderful response from communities, schools, and offices alike.

With the festival generating large amounts of waste every year, we educated participants about the harmful effects of Plaster of Paris (POP) idols, which pollute water bodies and harm ecosystems. We encouraged eco-friendly celebrations by promoting clay idols as a sustainable and responsible alternative.

Highlights from the Workshops:

We are grateful to everyone who joined us in making this celebration not only joyful but also mindful and sustainable!

Namma Swachha Adugodi (NSA) – Bosch:

July was a month of meaningful progress for the Namma Swachha Adugodi (NSA) project. We reached more households through awareness drives, carried out waste audits that showed encouraging signs of segregation, and actively involved Bosch volunteers and community partners in spreading the message of responsible waste management.

Here's the Project Progress made in August 2025:

Household Level | Status of No. of HHs: 

Key Metrics of Household Waste Collection:

Key Metrics of Monitoring - Segregation of Waste:

Key Metrics of Household Waste Collection & Segregation:

Key Metrics of Household Waste Collection & Segregation:

Household Participation Rating:

Distribution Drive in August 2025:

We successfully completed the distribution of 2 bins and 1 bag in all 6 adopted blocks this year. This ensures that every household has the required tools to practice proper waste segregation, making the process more systematic and sustainable.

Waste Audit:

A detailed waste audit was carried out to study the type and quantity of waste being generated in the community. This activity helped us identify patterns, measure the effectiveness of segregation, and provide insights for further improvements in waste management practices.

Menstrual Hygiene Sessions by Saahas team:

To address an important aspect of health and waste, we organized awareness sessions on menstrual hygiene:

• On 17th August, at 2nd Block, 11 women participated in an interactive session where they learned about safe practices, sustainable alternatives, and the health impacts of poor menstrual hygiene.

• On 22nd August, at 5th Block, 14 women joined the session, making it another impactful step in breaking taboos and spreading awareness about this sensitive yet crucial topic.

PUA (Participatory Urban Appraisal) Session by Saahas team:

A session was held at 3rd Block with 31 participants, where community members engaged in discussions, shared their challenges, and actively contributed ideas to improve solid waste management in their locality. This participatory approach ensured that residents felt ownership of the process, building long-term commitment towards sustainability.

Thrift Store at Rajendra Nagar:

On 2nd August 2025, we hosted a successful second-hand clothes sale at Rajendra Nagar, inviting members of the community to participate in a sustainable shopping experience. The store was open from 11 AM to 4 PM, attracting many visitors throughout the day.

A large number of clothes were sold to passers-by, helping give new life to pre-loved items while promoting mindful consumption. The event not only supported eco-friendly practices but also encouraged community engagement and responsible fashion choices.

Veeraru/Green School:

This month, we introduced hands-on experiments to help children understand what decomposes and what doesn’t. Divided into small teams, the students were given everyday items—paper, dry leaves, vegetable peels, hair, and chocolate wrappers—to place in pots. A week later, they came together for a lively discussion on their observations, deepening their understanding of waste and its impact.

As shared earlier, we also organized Clay Ganesha workshops in both schools. The children thoroughly enjoyed making their own eco-friendly idols and proudly expressed that they did not buy Plaster of Paris Ganeshas. Instead, they worshipped the idols they had created themselves—an inspiring step toward sustainable festive practices.

Erudition Time:

Bring home Ganesha, not chemicals

Did you know that in the olden days, villagers would make Ganesha idols from the clay in their own backyards? After the festival, when these idols were immersed in water, the clay returned to the soil, completing a natural cycle without harming the environment.

In contrast, Plaster of Paris (POP) idols take months to disintegrate and release harmful chemicals into lakes and rivers. Clay idols, however, dissolve within hours and nourish the earth. By choosing clay, we celebrate Lord Ganesha in his truest form—the remover of obstacles—not just for us, but for our planet too.

How did you celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi this year?”

• Brought home a clay idol 🌿
• Used a reusable metal/stone idol 🪔
• Made my own eco-friendly idol 🎨
• Celebrated without an idol, through prayers & planting 🌳