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The Hindu
25-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Dr. Saji Varghese on going beyond teaching to make a social impact
The next in the monthly series by WWF-India that highlights niche and unconventional green careers through the stories of well-known personalities from the field of environment and conservation I never imagined that a casual walk across my university campus would lead to a global eco-innovation. I've been an Associate Professor of English at Christ University, Bengaluru, for over two decades. But, along the way, my passion for sustainable change nudged me beyond the classroom; into a world of agri-waste, biodegradable straws, and circular innovation. Born and raised in Maharashtra, I studied at Mt. Carmel Convent School in Chandrapur and completed my higher education at Dr Ambedkar College, Nagpur. I earned my PhD in English from Nagpur University. Teaching was something I was always drawn to, but I also carried within me a constant urge to 'do more.' While teaching at a college in a remote village in Maharashtra, I saw the stark realities of farmer suicides and poverty. I kept thinking about the children in slums who deserved a better future. That experience pushed me to ask, 'I might teach English for another 15 years, but how will I make a tangible impact on the life of at least one such child?' Turning point The spark came unexpectedly. One day, a visitor from the Netherlands mentioned how disturbing it was to see so many single-use plastic straws and how it has become a scourge to our environment. The next morning, I noticed coconut leaves littered across campus and, almost like an epiphany, it struck me. I picked one up, steamed it in my kitchen, and it clicked! The natural wax coating on the coconut leaf was perfect; it didn't need a polymer lining. That moment became the birth of Sunbird Straws, the world's first biodegradable drinking straw made from dead coconut leaves. With no lab, no funding, and just a desire to make a difference, our straws are today not only reducing plastic pollution but also supporting the livelihoods of over 200 women across India's coastal states. Sunbird is a small idea that continues to grow. Now, my mornings start at 3:30 a.m. and my 'lab' is still my kitchen. Whether it's exploring the use of pineapple leaf cuticle or pandanus leaves, I keep experimenting. At Christ University, I prepare for classes and lead the Centre for Design and Innovation for Social Entrepreneurship, where I mentor students to turn their ideas into scalable solutions. I spend my evenings at the Sunbird office, interacting and planning with our team. What excites me most is the ability to close loops: to turn waste into something of value. Discoveries that I make during my experiments promote waste to wealth, circularity, and biodiversity are helping both the environment and the lives of women in rural areas. One challenge we face is pricing. Sustainable products often cost more because they're labour-intensive. We've had to find a balance between improving efficiency and protecting the livelihoods our work supports. Every decision we make — whether it's adding a new machine or changing a material — is weighed against its social impact. To students and young innovators, my message is this: look around you. There are problems waiting for creative solutions. There's no 'right' time. You just need a critical eye and the tenacity to come up with sustainable alternatives. Innovation doesn't require a lot; sometimes, it just needs a critical mind, a coconut leaf, and a question worth chasing.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
From law school to prison cells: Apurva's journey to help incarcerated women
1 2 3 Ranchi: Apurva Vivek is a lawyer by training with a degree from Christ University, Bangalore, and she also has a Master's degree in social work from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai. Today, she spends most of her time behind the prison walls in Jharkhand, not as an inmate, but as someone working to support incarcerated women. The founder-director of Hashiya Socio-Legal Centre for Women, Apurva said her organisation works with women in custody, helping them with legal aid, education, mental health and skilling. Her journey began in Ranchi in 2013 when she was waiting for the results of the Master's examination. During that period, she approached the jailer of the Birsa Munda Central Jail and asked if she could offer basic literacy classes to women prisoners and their children. He agreed. What followed were simple, meaningful sessions like reading newspapers, having conversations, or just sitting quietly together. "That experience made me realise how vital it is to create spaces inside institutions of custody," she said. Later, as women began trusting her, they opened up about their legal struggles. Many were abandoned by lawyers and forgotten by their families. "It struck me how often we plan elaborate programmes for rehabilitation, but forget the most basic and urgent need to help them get out," Apurva said. In 2022, Apurva formally launched Hashiya. The work became more structured in 2023 when the Jharkhand prison department invited her to sign an MoU to work inside the Hotwar Central Jail. A grant from the Azim Premji Foundation followed, helping her build a small team. One of the first projects she started was a basic literacy programme for women prisoners. "Some women signed legal papers without understanding them because they couldn't read. If they were denied education outside, the least we can do is make it available inside," she said. Today, her organisation also supports mental health counselling and art therapy. A Sohrai painting artist now teaches the traditional art in daily classes, and two literate inmates help teach others, inside the jail. All of this is based on what the women ask for. "We don't impose the programmes on them. We listen," she highlighted. Currently, there are about 100 women and seven children in the women's ward of the Hotwar prison. "We try to be there for every one of them, not just legally, but emotionally. We play with them, eat with them, and laugh with them. And even after their release, we stay connected," Apurva said. One story that left a deep impact on her was that of a woman who wanted an abortion but waited six weeks just for legal clearance. That incident led Apurva to push for changes in the Jharkhand prison manual to ensure reproductive rights for women prisoners. Looking ahead, Apurva said she wanted to expand her work to other prisons in the state and work with the govt departments to build transitional support systems for women after their release from prison. "This work is not charity. These women have rights. We're simply here to help them access what was always theirs," she added. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
The Hindu
16-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Watch: Well- Rounded World View: Finding a Place for Liberal Education
The second session on Day 1 of The Huddle 2025 had Dr. Bhavani S. from Christ University, Dr. Jonathan Gil Harris from Ashoka University and Sudheesh Venkatesh from Azim Premji Foundation speak with Srinath Raghavan from Ashoka University. Dr. Bhavani while speaking about liberal education, said, 'Liberal education is that which doesn't have indocrination and encourages free thinking. Learners presume that an education will get them a degree and then a job, but education should be for the purpose of making social meaning. It is more about culture, refinement of the individual and how they perceive the world around them.' Read more: 'Inter disciplinary liberal education is the way forward'
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Study finds microplastic residue in lake bank soil
Madiwala Lakes Butadiene Styrene microplastic pollution lake ecosystem waste management In September last year, a group of researchers found a large amount of microplastic in the surface water of Yele Mallappa Shetty Lake. They had deduced that plastic pollution was mainly due to heavy domestic waste disposal in the water issue of microplastic contamination has now been reported from Bellandur and. A team of researchers from Christ University has found microplastics in the bank sediment of both microplastics derived from Bellandur bank sediment had characteristics of Acrylonitrileand Polystyrene. Whereas, the microplastics from Madiwala had a unique blend of Polypropylene, polystyrene and PS and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS).Notably, researchers also underline that both water bodies are surrounded by urban areas and are affected by sewage inlets, waste dumping, and commercial boating. There were no visible microplastics obtainable from the water samples of both lakes. However, microplastics were segregated from the bank lake activists and experts sayin lakes, although a known secret, should be dealt with sooner rather than later, as it can have an adverse impact on aquatic life and theoverall.'It is no surprise that Bellandur and Madiwala lakes are contaminated with microplastics. It is bound to happen considering the rampant use of single-use plastic (SUP) and its improper disposal. While SUPs have been banned since 2016 in Karnataka, these items are readily available everywhere across the city. Even the Centre's ban in 2022 has had no impact. However, considering their adverse impact on the health of aquatic animals and also on us humans, authorities must take cognizance of the matter,' said a city-based lake activist.'Bengaluru'sinfrastructure is crumbling, leading to such issues. BBMP must focus on an effective waste collection and disposal system, apart from bringing in recycling program. Bengaluru should also have a filtration system for its stormwater drains to capture plastic from entering water bodies,' said the activist.
The Hindu
30-04-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
V. Muthu Ruben honoured at National Education Awards in Bengaluru
V. Muthu Ruben, Associate Professor at School of Law, Christ University, Central Campus, Hosur Road, Bengaluru, has been acknowledged for his work in legal education and academic development. He was presented with a Certificate of Recognition and a trophy by Beginup Ventures India at the 2025 National Edition of The India Elite Education and Institutional Excellence Awards and Conference. The event was held in Bengaluru on April 25. It brought together leading figures from the education, research, and institutional sectors.
