Aafreen Fathima Kabir
Storyteller and Architect
The founder of Ninety Eight Madras, Aafreen is an architect, artist, storyteller, and budding historian from Chennai. She uses art and heritage walks as platforms to promote heritage awareness. In addition, she co-founded the architecture firm Beyond Planes.
Performance Collective
Aazhi Arts is an NGO that teaches traditional art forms to the marginalized community. Specialising in Parai and Silambam, they are lighting up the lives of juvenile kids, transgenders, and HIV-affected children by imparting to them, our traditional art forms.
Environmental Entrepreneur
From a child actor to becoming a sustainability enthusiast, Ann Anra entered the environmental entrepreneurship world armed with over a decade of experience working with change leaders, NGOs and stakeholders in income generation programs. She founded Wasted 360 solutions in 2019 to sustainably address solid waste concerns faced in metros
Sustainable Architect and Landscape Planner
With a degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Greenwich, Anupama specializes in the revival of traditional construction techniques and experiments with alternative building materials. Her vision is to create breathable, environmentally sensitive buildings. She co-founded the architecture firm Studio DCode in 2008.
Fashion Designer
The engineer-turned-designer first made heads turn when his upcycled Banarasi dress was sported by stars like Maitreyi Ramakrishnan and Tapsee Pannu. Today, conscious design that stays true to sustainable couture is the signature element in his collections. Ashwin is presently working on a conscious clothing line that pays homage to earth and nature.
Theatre Collective
Burrito Bowl Productions is a collective working towards universal accessibility of art. It aims to create inclusive content that resonates with everybody, encouraging audiences to embrace their artistic inclinations. The group's mission is to foster a universal love for art itself, thereby making it a shared experience that can be loved and cherished by all.
Dr. Purnima Jalihal
Ocean Energy and Water Technologist
Dr. Purnima Jalihal, Head of Energy and FreshWater at the National Institute of Ocean Technology, is an esteemed scientist and pioneer in ocean technology. She is the Clean Energy Mission Innovation Champion for India and Vice Chair on the Executive Committee of the Ocean Energy Systems Technology Collaboration Program. Her various accolades are a testament to her ground-breaking research.
Reethu Paramasivam
Fashion Designer
A Fashion Design graduate from NIFT, Reethu Paramasivam has worked on multiple projects for the Aditya Birla Group's fashion apparel arm. Presently, a design manager at Go Colors, Reethu is a firm believer in traditional craftsmanship, mindful choices and sustainable fashion.
Saravanan K
Fisher, Cartographer and Climate Advocate | மீனவர், வரைபடக் கலைஞர், காலநிலை ஆர்வலர்
Saravanan, is a self taught cartographer from the fisher community. Through his detailed and accurate maps, he empowers fishing communities by advocating for their rights and making them climate resilient. He is fondly known as the Maptivist, for his work in creating a positive change among the community most vulnerable to climate change.
மீனவ சமூதாயத்தை சேர்ந்தவர் சரவணன். தர்க்கல்வி முறையில் வரைபடக் கலைஞரானார். காலநிலை மாற்றத்தின் தாக்கத்தால் ஏற்படும் விளைவுகளை தனது வரைபடங்கள் மூலம் ஆராய்ந்து காலநிலை மீள்தன்மையை கருத்தில் கொண்டு மீனவர்களின் வாழ்வாதாரத்தை உறுதிப்படுத்த பணியாற்றுகிறார். எனவே இவர் அன்புடன் 'Maptivist' என்று அழைக்கப்படுகிறார்.
Tree Conservationist and Writer
Shobha Menon, the founder of Nizhal, passionately advocates for urban tree conservation and community connections that stand up for trees. Through informative tree walks and volunteer-led programs, she promotes sensitive urban greening and facilitates nurturing spaces for trees and communities.
Independent Journalist
Smitha TK a skilled freelance journalist with eight years of experience in South India, excels in reporting. writing, editing, and camerawork. Her impactful storytelling includes documentaries on climate change, unsung heroes, and the differently-abled, raising funds and advocating for social change. She is the 2023 Global Landscapes Forum ambassador and won a grant from Earth Journalism Network to report on marine pollution.
Naturalist and Climate Educator
Yuvan Aves is a nature-educator, writer, naturalist and activist. Today, the author of five books and the founder-trustee of the Palluyir Trust for Nature Education and Research is on a mission to make local nature-based learning a policy intervention in the state and country.