1) Students at Satya Bharti School in Viranwas, Rajasthan initiated a tree planting campaign to honor elders and protect the environment. 2) They organized community meetings and rallies to encourage villagers to plant trees in the names of their grandparents and other elders. 3) Many community members participated in the tree planting, feeling happy that the students launched an initiative to protect the environment and show respect to elders. The bonding between the school and community strengthened as a result.

1. Protecting Environment Our story of Change from Satya Bharti School, Viranwas girls & Boys, Alwar, Rajasthan , Bharti Foundation The change we plan to bring about in the community : Protecting Environment

2. Bharti Foundation Bharti Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Bharti Group Companies. The Foundation aims to help underprivileged children and young people of our country realize their potential. Satya Bharti School Program The Satya Bharti School Program is the flagship program of Bharti Foundation. It aims to deliver free quality education to underprivileged children, with special focus on the girl child across rural India. The program goal is to establish 500 Primary and 50 Senior Schools reaching out to over 200,000 students The promise of this large scale program, through its operation, is to create a replicable, scalable and holistic model of quality education in rural India Present Operational Status: Number of Schools Operational: 236 States of Operation: Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh & Tamil Nadu Number of Students Enrolled: Over 30,000 Introduction

3. Geographical Location Viranwas is situated at a distance of 22 km from NH-8 at the west of Satya Bharti’s District office at Neemrna. About the Community - This village is having With a total population of 1607 In 301 no. of households. People of this village are dependent upon agriculture. Many of the villagers have also joined the Indian Army .

4. Cultural Background : The villagers belongs to Hindu Community . Dominant cast is Yadav. They followed the all Hindu rituals and festivals. The dressing style of community is long white Kurta & Dhoti / Pant & Shirt, for men and women dressing style is Ghagra & Odhni. It’s a mix culture of Rajasthan & Hariyana because Hariyana is very close to this location. They prefer to have vegetarian & Non vegetarian food but most of the people are vegetarian. Village women always in long veil and it’s a part of their culture. About the Community

5. There are many problems in the village but the children felt that environment protection is one of the biggest challenge for upcoming generations, and decided to do the tree plantation by the name of older people and protect the environment as well as to show respect to their elders. We ‘Felt’:

6. We ‘Imagined’: Community will be involved in the process to plant a tree for the elder ones (Senior citizen) Plantation shall be promoted to maintain greenery. Our students have put a valuable idea to show respect to the elders by keeping their memories forever by planting a tree with their names.

7. Organized a meeting with community people to make them understand the initiative of Satya Bharti School. Organized a rally in the village and motivate people for tree plantation. We ‘Did’: Asked community people to plant a tree by the name of their elders and keep their memories with them as well to protect the environment. School Children also planted the tree by the name of their grand parents

8. The community felt that the students of Satya Bharti School have initiate great step towards environment protection and shown respect to their elders. Other community members came forward and plant a tree in the memory of their elders and shown their respect to them. Impact on Community:

9. The entire team of Satya Bahrti School Viranwas Girls feel the sense of pride to initiate such a novel campaign which has had a major impact on the villagers. The bonding of the community with our Satya Bharti School has become stronger. The students of Satya Bahrti School gained the confidence to initiate such steps which makes difference in the life of every villagers. Impact on Us:

10. “ Mai Apne app ko Kush Naseeb Manta hun ki mujeh aaj Staya Bharti School ke Madham se Gawwalo ko ek sath karke Praywaran ko bachane ki Muhim Chalayi aur Gaon ke Bujurgo ke Naam par Vriksha ropan kiya” Jyoti Bala Head Teacher The teachers realised that they have done something special for the village which has made a genuine difference in their lives. The villagers felt happy that this campaign has open their eyes and realize them how they can protect the environment as well plant a tree by name of their elders. Experience of Community Members & Teachers:

11. We will be in touch with community people and motivate them to plant a tree by the name of their elders . We will approach village Panchyat for providing a land where villagers can plant a tree by the name of their elders and the place will be known for their elders as well as protecting the environment. The Road Ahead….. (in the next 3 months)

12. Students Participating in the Contest: Name of Mentor Teacher: Jyoti Bala # State District School No. of Students Participating Name of Student Class Rajasthan Alwar SBGPS Viranwas Girls 10 Priti VII Ruchi VII Manisha VIII Vishakha VIII Neetu VIII Pinki 1 VIII Pinki 2 VIII Sapana VIII Seema VIII Rinki VII

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