Category: Ahmedabad

I was so excited to visit Ahmedabad, rich in heritage and where every corner has a different story.

13 July

We arrived Ahmedabad at 10:20Am and the welcome was the best part of the day . It was traditional way of welcoming in India , with Baja and tilak chandan’. We had our welcoming session and also visited the riverfront in the evening.

14 July

We went to a peaceful place i.e CEE (Centre for Environmental Education) . The day started with a nature walk which was so peaceful. We collected some things from the jungle. We played some games and also had a meaningful session on Climate change . We met with so many great people like Madhu sir and the team of CEE and learnt so many things from them. We had some group tasks. The dinner was really so amazing at Vishala, we had seen the traditional garba dance and the food was on lead plate which reminded me of my village.

15 July

In the morning we went to Serenity Trust where we have seen different types of plants and the importance of small insects. It was the place where I have seen Loki sir for the first time. We had tree meditation where we talked to trees silently and it was so calm and peaceful. Honestly my mind became so stable and I felt so connected with nature. Loki sir talked about all the climate problems and gave some solutions that can be used instead of harmful things like fertilizer and pesticides.In the evening we went to the Atal bridge and the view from the top was so beautiful. We played Mosquito-Mosquito in the park and it was the day when nobody was feeling tired because of the energy of nature.

16 July

It was one of the adventurous part because we went to Polo forest and climbed Eco hill and had lots of fun, the view of Aravali hills was so nice. The travelling part was hactkic, it was 4 hours away from our hotel.

17 July

We had visited old Ahmedabad city and learnt about the old style things, like why the building are connected everywhere, the traditional gates and wells also the Chabutra. The deep designs in the home was so beautiful. I was not feeling good that day, so I came back to the hotel to take rest. In the afternoon we went to Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram , I had seen a real charkha for the first time and learnt how to use it. In the library we had seen a lot of stories of history.we also brought post cards. In the night we had garba and enjoyed a lot. Everybody were wearing traditional and looking so pretty.

18 July

We had visited the rural part of of Ahmedabad where we had seen different types of snakes including python. The tractor ride was so interesting. The went to a goshala and seen how people were taking care of all the cattles. After that we visited a village school and interacted with kids. It was so hard to say goodbye to the pure souls.

19 July

It was the last day in Ahmedabad. We had some group tasks to make our dream island. I learnt so many new ideas from all the different groups. We had a workshop of making design on tote bags. We reflected our stories and experience at Ahmedabad . We played so many games and the dinner was kind of surprise. I loved it , the dance , music, food .

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Learning from the Land – Centre for Environment Education, Ahmedabad

The day started with a peaceful nature walk, helping everyone reconnect with nature. In a quiet sharing circle, students spoke about their home countries and cultures. They then discussed the causes and effects of climate change in groups. Later, a sustainable architect spoke about eco-friendly design and how creativity can support climate action. Students also did a hands-on activity sorting climate solutions into adaptation, mitigation, or both. The day ended with students writing postcards, receiving group tags (Chakli, Haathi, Amore), and enjoying a traditional Gujarati dinner with music and dancing at Vishalla.

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Learning Through Nature & the City

Students took a heritage walk focused on trees, nature, and climate. They learned how dragonflies and termites play important roles in the environment. Some students even “talked to trees” for quiet reflection. In a climate session, they explored how cities and daily choices impact the planet. At the Sabarmati Riverfront, they played games, danced with Madhu Menon Sir, and reflected on urban issues like displacement. The day ended with a warm dinner at Foodinn Fine Dine.

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Hiking at Polo Forest – Connecting with Climate & Community

Students went on a scenic hike in Polo Forest, led by Madhu Menon Sir. For many, it was their first hike. They supported each other, shouted “360!” at Echo Hill, and enjoyed peaceful moments by the streams. After the hike, they reflected quietly, connecting nature’s balance to leadership and climate awareness. The forest reminded everyone that learning can happen through experience and observation.

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Heritage, Reflection & Culture in Ahmedabad

The group explored Old Ahmedabad, learning about traditional, climate-smart architecture. Back at the hotel, students wrote blog entries reflecting on their leadership journey. At Gandhi Ashram, they embraced Gandhian values like peace, simplicity, and truth. In a guided reflection, they thought about what kind of leaders they want to be. The day ended with a joyful Garba night full of dance and celebration.

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Rural Immersion – Learning from Land, Livelihood & Local Culture

Students visited Thol village to experience rural life. They learned about water systems, farming, and how communities care for animals at the Gaushala. At a village school, students and children shared games, language, and laughter. On Mandela Day, they honored Nelson Mandela by sharing stories and reflecting on justice, courage, and equality. The experience showed how deeply rooted values and traditions support sustainability.

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Reflections, Creativity & Celebration – Wrapping Up in Ahmedabad

On the final day in Ahmedabad, students reflected on their growth in a quiet morning circle.  They also upcycled fabric into creative tote bags. The day included student presentations and fun language games. The program ended with a lively dance party and farewell dinner, celebrating everything they had learned and shared.

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Next Stop: Mumbai!

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In Ahmedabad our group definitely had a stronger approach toward learning more about climate change and the environment. I loved learning how to connect with nature and being one with it. Being open minded definitely helped my experience. I loved learning about how everything in nature is there for a reason even if they’re annoying (things like termites and mosquitos) ! connected that to my own life and it’s a very beautiful concept. We did activities like hiking, presentations and visits to areas that may be affected by climate change.

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Ahmedabad is a wonderful city, and I’m so glad I was able experience what I could before fell ill for a few days. I enjoyed learning about how they tackled climate change and implemented climate action in their own lives and spaces, respectively. My favorite part was visiting the Serenity garden, which was true to its name because it’s was indeed peaceful! So many beautiful flowers and plants, and I loved being able to see how “intelligent” these plants really were. This topic of intelligence was stressed during our time here, and for good reason. I think it was important to teach that it’s not only humans that are intelligent, because it’s this very basis that we separate ourselves from the natural world. Showing that plants and equally and in some cases, more intelligent than humans and human functions show us how close we really are to one another—and that our definitions aren’t always definite! Flowers are always a wonderful sight and seeing how the work made it’s even more fascinating