Category: Uncategorized

  • Street Audits, City Hall & a Smart-City App

    Street Audits, City Hall & a Smart-City App — LC 2026 Field Notes
    Chapter 03 · BengaluruDay 3Tue, 21 Jul 2026

    Street Audits, City Hall & a Smart-City App

    From spotting broken footpaths on a morning walk to reporting them to the city by lunch — the day the cohort proved change isn’t difficult.

    This morning, we went street auditing with Reap Benefit to identify problems in the area. The trees were lush, the sun was shining, and we nearly stepped in cow dung. We found several issues the local community has grown used to — cattle in the streets, uneven footpaths, and loose wires under the streetlights. It was a reminder that anyone can make a difference through small actions, starting with simply noticing what could be improved.

    We visited the Greater Bengaluru Authority and were welcomed warmly. We spoke with the commissioner, Maheshwar Rao, about the city’s most pressing issues — students like Jonas, Peerbaksh, Ziya and Akshay asked the sharpest questions. We also visited the Integrated Command and Control Centre, learning how the authority works as one unit to respond to citizens’ complaints, and toured the call centre where different departments take up different problems.

    Within less than an hour, every student had contributed to improving the city.

    After lunch, we gathered at VET College to tackle a question that had bothered many of us since the start of the program: how do we take meaningful action? With Reap Benefit facilitators, we reflected on our morning walk, went back onto the streets to find examples of mismanagement and negligence, and reported problems like exposed wiring to the authority using their smart-city app. The day ended with a magnificent evening in the Malbagh garden, where students and leaders shared life stories under the green canopy and the gentle light of the sunset.

    Meet the storytellers

    The voices behind this entry

    3 students of the Leadership Collective 2026 cohort — a class of 50 from 15 countries exploring Climate & Cities across India. Portraits & profiles via 360plus.org.

    Malathesha P

    Malathesha P

    Bengaluru, India

    A disciplined, community-minded student from Chitradurga driven to work for people’s welfare.

    Marsha George

    Marsha George

    San Jose, USA

    An artist from San Jose who sees creativity as a way to understand the world and connect.

    Micah Provotorov

    Micah Provotorov

    Porto, Portugal

    A writer from Voronezh, now in Porto, who turns any conversation into a philosophical exchange.

  • A Slow Start, Reflection & Rain-Stopped Games

    A Slow Start, Reflection & Rain-Stopped Games — LC 2026 Field Notes
    Chapter 03 · BengaluruDay 2Mon, 20 Jul 2026

    A Slow Start, Reflection & Rain-Stopped Games

    A gentle first full day in Bengaluru: a long breakfast, an assignment connecting every city we’d seen, and a downpour that cut the sports short.

    Today is July 20th, our first real day in Bengaluru. Although it was scheduled as a peaceful day — we’d only just landed — it was still full of experiences and educational observations. We had a delayed start to rest, and breakfast ran from 7:00 to 11:00 am; it was healthy and amazingly tasty.

    Then we did an assignment reflecting on the educational observations we’d made in every city we visited, connecting two observations to two cities and two things we learned. In the afternoon, we went to a sports centre and had fun — cut short by a large downpour right in the middle of our games: volleyball, basketball, football and more.

    We ended the day with dinner at an American restaurant — Pizza Hut!
    Meet the storytellers

    The voices behind this entry

    3 students of the Leadership Collective 2026 cohort — a class of 50 from 15 countries exploring Climate & Cities across India. Portraits & profiles via 360plus.org.

    Karam Kassam Alhinnawi

    Karam Kassam Alhinnawi

    As Suwayda, Syria

    An ambitious changemaker and aspiring polymath — from tech and journalism to debating, entrepreneurship and sport.

    Ryan Chen

    Ryan Chen

    Philadelphia, USA

    A motivated student passionate about global history, debate and the arts as tools for change.

    Vartika Sharma

    Vartika Sharma

    New Delhi, India

    A creative leader from New Delhi who blends art with environmental advocacy and upcycling.

  • A Warm Welcome to Bengaluru

    A Warm Welcome to Bengaluru — LC 2026 Field Notes
    Chapter 03 · BengaluruDay 1Sun, 19 Jul 2026

    A Warm Welcome to Bengaluru

    A new city, a garden house full of greenery, and a rainwater-harvesting system that showed how sustainability can live in the everyday.

    Today marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter together. After arriving at the airport, we were filled with anticipation, curiosity and excitement for everything ahead. Although we were all tired from travelling, the energy of being in a new city kept our spirits high.

    Our first destination was a beautiful garden house that immediately impressed us with its peaceful atmosphere and stunning greenery. The property is surrounded by a wide variety of plants and trees, creating a calm and refreshing environment. One of the most inspiring features was its rainwater harvesting system, which showed us how sustainable practices can be woven into everyday living.

    I was inspired by how nature and innovation can work together to create a beautiful, eco-friendly space.

    As a group, we enjoyed exploring the property, sharing our first impressions and learning more about environmental sustainability. This experience reminded us that small actions — such as conserving water — can have a meaningful impact on our communities. A memorable start to our Bengaluru chapter.

    Meet the storytellers

    The voices behind this entry

    3 students of the Leadership Collective 2026 cohort — a class of 50 from 15 countries exploring Climate & Cities across India. Portraits & profiles via 360plus.org.

    Kyren Gonzalez

    Kyren Gonzalez

    Chicago, USA

    A youth advocate and poet from Chicago passionate about policy, mental health and climate justice.

    Sibongile Chitha

    Sibongile Chitha

    Johannesburg, South Africa

    A purpose-driven Grade 12 leader from Orange Farm devoted to youth empowerment and public speaking.

    Vartika Sharma

    Vartika Sharma

    New Delhi, India

    A creative leader from New Delhi who blends art with environmental advocacy and upcycling.

  • Gandhi’s House, a Tree Named Brook & Mandela Day

    Gandhi’s House, a Tree Named Brook & Mandela Day — LC 2026 Field Notes
    Chapter 02 · AhmedabadDay 6Sat, 18 Jul 2026

    Gandhi’s House, a Tree Named Brook & Mandela Day

    The most personal day of the trip: a morning at Gandhi’s home, an afternoon planting trees at Gathering Green, and a lesson in how forests talk.

    Today was easily the highlight of the trip so far — a beautiful, deeply interactive day that connected all 47 of us from around the world, while also letting me connect with something incredibly personal. We started our morning at Mahatma Gandhi’s house, and I can honestly say I have never been to a more peaceful museum. It was profoundly moving to see the pictures and read about his life, what he stood for, and the massive impact he made on the world. My favourite moment was taking a group photo together right there at his home.

    After a much-needed rest and lunch to recharge, we headed out for an afternoon that somehow made the day even better.

    We were given the incredible opportunity to visit Gathering Green to help the environment. The site already boasts 20,000 trees, and our cohort added our own. Planting trees was an activity I loved so deeply. In my application for this trip, I wrote about my cousin who passed away; she was fiercely passionate about the environment, and being out there reminded me of her so much. I felt a profound connection to her while digging into the soil, and I named my tree after her — Brook.

    Following the planting, our guide took us on a nature walk. Even though the heat was intense, the trail was still amazing and peaceful. The biggest eye-opener was learning about the trees themselves — I never realised they offer so much more than oxygen. Our guide explained it beautifully: trees truly connect, communicate and talk with each other beneath the surface, keeping each other alive in ways most people never think about.

    It felt fitting that today was also a celebration of Nelson Mandela Day — a beautiful opportunity to honour him, Gandhi, and all the people who have inspired our world. Our collective carbon footprint on this planet is heavy, but by planting these trees, we added to our handprint. It’s a memory our whole cohort will cherish for a long time.

    Meet the storytellers

    The voices behind this entry

    2 students of the Leadership Collective 2026 cohort — a class of 50 from 15 countries exploring Climate & Cities across India. Portraits & profiles via 360plus.org.

    Faith Faure

    Faith Faure

    Cape Town, South Africa

    A spirited, creative animal-lover from Cape Town who believes youth must create their own opportunities.

    Mara Stout

    Mara Stout

    Marion, USA

    A big-hearted competitive swimmer from North Carolina who makes sure no one feels out of place.

  • 600 Years of Old Ahmedabad — and a Second Life for Cloth

    600 Years of Old Ahmedabad — and a Second Life for Cloth — LC 2026 Field Notes
    Chapter 02 · AhmedabadDay 5Fri, 17 Jul 2026

    600 Years of Old Ahmedabad — and a Second Life for Cloth

    A heritage walk through a 600-year-old city, a textile-recycling office turning waste into affordable wardrobes, and a night of Gujarati food and folk dance.

    Today started with a visit to Old Ahmedabad — a vibrant, colourful city full of friendly people and heritage. It welcomed us with many pillars: gates, faith and stories, each one representing a piece of the city’s past. The city is over 600 years old and still lived in by locals. One thing that surprised me was how few trees are planted — mainly because there is almost zero unpaved space. Old Ahmedabad showed me that tradition and heritage can stay alive, even as the whole world decides to become ‘modern’.

    After that, we visited the India Recycling office to learn how they recycle clothes and other reusable materials. The team walked us through the complete process: how donated clothes are collected, sorted, cleaned and prepared for reuse. We learned about the importance of reducing textile waste and how recycling helps protect the environment.

    The clothes were sold at nearly half the price of new items — accessible to people from low-income communities while encouraging sustainable shopping. Recycling isn’t only about reducing waste; it’s about supporting people and a more sustainable lifestyle.

    Finally, we visited the Vishalla, where we saw large vessels and tools used for all kinds of purposes. What surprised me most were the water bags, carved into beautiful shapes — the ancient equivalent of today’s water bottles. Later we tried local Gujarati food, were amazed by the folk dances, and ended our day dancing along to the rhythm.

    Meet the storytellers

    The voices behind this entry

    3 students of the Leadership Collective 2026 cohort — a class of 50 from 15 countries exploring Climate & Cities across India. Portraits & profiles via 360plus.org.

    Dhanush Kumar

    Dhanush Kumar

    Bengaluru, India

    A motivated, disciplined student from Bengaluru with a keen interest in technology and AI, and a love for volleyball.

    Karam Kassam Alhinnawi

    Karam Kassam Alhinnawi

    As Suwayda, Syria

    An ambitious changemaker and aspiring polymath — from tech and journalism to debating, entrepreneurship and sport.

    Shubha A

    Shubha A

    Bengaluru, India

    A spirited, sporty selenophile who thrives when active and connected, keen to explore India’s traditions.

  • The Best Classrooms Don’t Have Four Walls

    The Best Classrooms Don’t Have Four Walls — LC 2026 Field Notes
    Chapter 02 · AhmedabadDay 4Thu, 16 Jul 2026

    The Best Classrooms Don’t Have Four Walls

    A 5 AM start, a four-hour road to the Aravalli hills, and a forest that felt like home to a student from Bhutan.

    Today reminded me that the best classrooms don’t always have four walls. We woke at 5:00 a.m. and set off on a four-hour journey from Vadnagar to the beautiful Polo Forest. Most of us slept on the ride. After a quick breakfast of poha at a small restaurant surrounded by trees, we began our adventure.

    Our first stop was a series of ancient temples that now stand as historical monuments, before we made our way into Polo Forest. As we trekked through the hills, climbed over giant rocks and walked beneath the forest canopy, I was amazed by the beauty around me. The cool breeze and mountain views instantly reminded me of home in Bhutan, making me feel peaceful and connected to nature.

    Having previously learned about the urban heat island effect, I could genuinely feel the difference — the forest was noticeably cooler than the city, making the lesson come alive.

    The trek was much more than a hike. Along the way we learned how fallen leaves decompose to enrich the soil, how changing conditions affect streams and forests, and how different tree species tell the story of an ecosystem. We also visited a beautiful Jain temple nestled among the hills, learning its history, architecture and the values of Jainism. Later we crossed a small river — with a few friends hilariously slipping into the water — before a hearty lunch together.

    On the long journey back, some slept, others sang, and we watched a beautiful sunset through the bus windows. It was more than a day of travel — it was a day of discovery, laughter, learning, and a deeper appreciation for nature, culture and the importance of protecting our environment.

    Meet the storytellers

    The voices behind this entry

    3 students of the Leadership Collective 2026 cohort — a class of 50 from 15 countries exploring Climate & Cities across India. Portraits & profiles via 360plus.org.

    Afrin Usmani

    Afrin Usmani

    Mumbai, India

    Founder of Beautree, she leads clean-up drives, tree planting and community art initiatives.

    Arwa Ibrahim

    Arwa Ibrahim

    Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt

    A curious, growth-oriented creator eager to learn, connect and explore new perspectives.

    Thinley Wangdi

    Thinley Wangdi

    Paro, Bhutan

    A national table-tennis champion and musician who leads by example, on and off the court.

  • My Journey Through Delhi

    It was my first experience in plane. it’s seems like traveling through fairy land between the clouds up in the air. Fortunately I got the window seat and phone in my hand. All the way I was like clicking pictures here and there. Talking to myself endlessly. When I reached dehli I could not believe it that I was in capital city of my country. All the way watching tall buildings and amazing roadside view. The sun feel so warm and cosy. I arrived dehli on 6th July. On 8th July there was orientation program for foreign students to represent the diversity and unity of India. We had Imran with us looking for our preparation.we simply annoyed him with our own made dialogue and unexplainable and undefined acting.

    It’s wonderful experience working with most amazing guy. I was too excited about the upcoming days. So many people lot’s of things to learn and share.so many friends and mentors all the time. And in the Orientation day we were like struggling with custome, preparation and laughing all the way.from morning to evening we had so many sessions and fun games. I love the game in which we need to represent ourselves with newspaper cutting.Next day our trip started with Rastrapati Bhawan, Bangla Saheb Gurudwara and India Gate. Gurudwara was so magnificent built the holy water in front of main building adore it’s beauty. Again I love the taking lunch in Gurudwara. After lunch we saw one museum. It has all the answers of different questions regarding Sikh religion. The Rastrapati Bhawan was in it’s own grandeur. Visiting there once there was thought in my heart and mind wishing to be a president.At the evening the India Gate seems like a rare beauty. It was looking like gate to the heaven.

    In between we had a street walk for ugrasen ki baoli, which is stepwell. So many people were there too. Taking pictures admiring the ancient architecture.Next the was so amazing and productive we had a story of recycling company who built a top class business. Recycling cigarette wastage they were able to reproduce paper, clothes and homemade manure. They had their own specific machine and chemicals to do so. Oh with dehli I had very beautiful and unforgettable memories. I will never forget moments in Delhi till my lifetime. Another adventure was in Red Fort where we had glimpses of past. Indian history was so enthusiastic.i never got bore listening to guide. I captured each piece of architectural design and work on my camera. While everyone were tied of walking continuously it started raining and we all ran to diwane e aam . After that we had a auto rikshaw side till species market of dehli. Next moment we were in Chandni chowk. Step after step we found ourselves in jama masjid. Oh the high tower has taken my mind there and then. I was struggling to take out my eyes off the jublient beauty.in the evening we were walking through dehli street admiring the street arts. The muneral has already taken my heart. I could not stop thinking about the message are creativity of different artist.Next time we had nature walk and saw mud house. It was so peaceful and relaxing. I loved the each art work there taken from different states of India. It was like having small India inside the small mud House. So that was all about Dehli 🌸

  • Dream Bengaluru

    It’s a great place to visit. I really loved all the activities we have done in Bengaluru. The skit play session was amazing. The actors were awesome and again the playful moments with them helped us to learn and broaden our vision towards climate change and its consequences. I loved the weather of Bengaluru. And the street walk was fun. Coming people together sharing experiences and learning. It helped to improve my efficiency and leadership skills. There are always lots of people all around the togetherness has its own affection. Today I started my day with a healthy breakfast and an exciting job of giving a title to one of my friends. We are provided a bookmark with a green activity scribbed on it. Again we got a card where possible climatic changes were written. Our main focus was water. We found a main office and there the session started with jotting down our observations and ideas. Coming up with possible solutions too. Again we made posters and few machines to solve the civic issues. It’s great learning of government bodies and it was fun to interview people with different cultures . Talking with love feels like a smile is the universal language. It’s fun to represent ourselves through thoughts, ideas and creativity. Understanding mutual interests in different aspects is something like we feel united. Climate citizenship doesn’t only include our local address where our home is. Our home is Earth . Considering earth as home in mind and so many differences among will disappear which are just human constructs. A session with the CEO of Infosys has a wonderful lifetime moment. Learning through people is the best way to grasp every aspect of something . Learning about technology, artificial intelligence, machines, coding was mind blowing. The peaceful snacks made the day. The night dinner in a Mexican restaurant was just awesome. I experienced a new taste of takojo . Again we danced with the music. It’s lovely to dance around all our own. Enjoying every rhythm. Another day visit to Infosys campus was fun. Lots of things to watch around and learn how actually the tech company is trying to solve environmental issues. As I am from the engineering field it’s my dream coming true to meet the people of tech companies. And visiting its campus feels like heaven on the earth. I enjoyed each moment on campus.

    Gallery

  • The Best Day

    On our final day in Bangalore, I awoke with a mix of anticipation and slight anxiety, perhaps due to the graduation ceremony ahead and the looming departure. I was pleased to have the opportunity to sleep in. After preparing, I went to breakfast, where we celebrated Raeann’s birthday.

    Our departure was delayed, which allowed me some personal time. We visited the museum and viewed various art pieces. I saw a piece that reminded me of a photo taken by Vassidy, an LC 24 alum, and Mary and I recreated it. Downstairs, we found a display of memories from our time at 360 Plus. We each selected a photo that wasn’t ours and presented why we chose it; I picked Yash’s because of its personal resonance. We then distributed lollipops with titles, and I received “silent killer.”

    Following this, we wrote nice notes to each other and boarded the bus. We enjoyed a Mexican meal, which was a comforting reminder of home. The evening included dancing to Spanish music and a final birthday celebration for Raeann with cake and churros, concluding a delightful day.

  • The dream city Mumbai seems like in it’s perfect

    The dream city Mumbai seems like in it’s perfect grandeur starting from desent drizzle to heavy rainfall. The ocean was all in mighty .

    The black clouds over the ocean seems like umbrella but unlike umbrella the pouring water. The buildings were trying to touch the sky. We went to muso museum and playful solution museum designed for kids. I really loved that place it has so many learning and adventurous things to do and to do experiment. Again I loved the garden space at topmost floor and the documentary on turtle was really astonishing.

    The most important thing was we are part of climate citizenship and carry responsibility of serving for our earth. And before that we must have knowledge of it. Learning about the things we are interested turn out to be fun and enjoying stuff.

    The last night in Mumbai was pretty cool.we had lunch with so many people. There were people all around,so many things to share ,so many things to listen. So many experiences taught so many things.We loved cricket association place it’s really amazing. After the session we had party all dancing, all singing moving all over the floor making noises and enjoying. And after that night in the morning again it’s raining heavily.we again got wet in rain it’s wonderful experience to get wet. Then we visited some places after that it was turn to get to airport for Bengaluru.