(May 10, 2024) After graduating from the Ramaiah Institute of Technology in Bengaluru, Pranay Kumar embarked on a new chapter in Sikkim. Passionate about entrepreneurship, he founded Chakrasfarm Pvt Ltd, which found a home at the AIC-SMUTBI at the Manipal Institute of Technology at Sikkim. The breathtaking beauty of the state served as a catalyst for his thoughts on climate change, as he noticed a lack of awareness on the subject in the region. Pranay founded the non-profit Nine Foundation which has impacted 500 students. “It’s a non-profit organisation I established to tackle climate change through education. The best part is that we offer our program completely free of cost to students. We don’t charge anything from schools we collaborate with,” Pranay tells Global Indian.
Although agritech had sparked his journey, the Sikkim floods ignited in him a passion that he couldn’t ignore. “As an engineer, I felt compelled to contribute to nature. Witnessing the exploitation of our planet became too much to ignore,” he shares.
Pranay Kumar
Compelled to take action
“Witnessing our planet’s vulnerability, I knew action was crucial. Inspired by UCDF, I co-founded Nine Foundation, not just to educate, but to empower. Seeing the potential in young minds fuelled my mission to equip them as the leaders of tomorrow’s climate fight,” he remarks.
The Chakrasfarm project got on hold due to unforeseen reasons but the engineer with an entrepreneurial bent of mind started a travel company. Moreover, the foundation has injected a new lease of life into his journey.
So profound is Pranay’s commitment to the cause that he incurs all expenses of the foundation from his own pocket. However, the rewards he gains from this investment are priceless. “There’s something truly special about being present, engaging directly with the students, and witnessing their enthusiasm firsthand,” he shares.
He looks at education as a tool to change the mindset of an entire generation, creating a ripple effect that lasts for decades.
The Nine Foundation
“The name ‘Nine’ wasn’t chosen at random. It symbolises completion and new beginnings, which perfectly reflects our commitment to a sustainable future, and I believe education is the key to real change,” Pranay says, about the significance behind the foundation’s name.
Pranay and his team partners with schools to integrate climate education into their curriculum, making environmental awareness and action an essential part of the students’ learning experience. The aim is to empower students to become informed advocates for planet Earth, equip them with knowledge and critical thinking skills they need to create a more sustainable future.
“While I have a fantastic and reliable team who helps initiate partnerships with schools, I also make it a priority to visit these schools myself whenever possible,” Pranay remarks.
Nine Foundation team engages senior and junior classes, sparking interest and action through interactive workshops and presentations. These sessions explore the science behind climate change, present real-world solutions, and empower students to take ownership of their environmental impact.
Empowering the youth
Those students who show extraordinary interest in Nine Foundation’s work are given the option to become volunteers and form ‘School of Climate Change’ clubs in their respective schools. “These student-led groups serve as a platform to deepen their knowledge, brainstorm creative solutions, and organise school-wide initiatives promoting a sustainable lifestyle.”
Nine EnviroEd volunteers
Nine Foundation’s ‘hands-on activities’ immerse students in environmental challenges. Interactive experiences, like planting trees, cleaning up local parks, or conducting water quality tests, connect students with the environment and its problems directly and provide them with a deeper understanding of the issues at hand. The school volunteers and their teams are made to showcase their ongoing climate efforts at the end of a three-month period. “This encourages reflection, peer learning, and collaboration, showcasing the power of individual and collective action,” Pranay tells.
The most dedicated student, chosen on the parameters of leadership, initiative, and commitment, earns the title of ‘The One Human.’ “The title empowers the student to become an ambassador for climate action within their community, inspiring others to save, conserve, and protect our planet,” tells Pranay.
Challenges and triumphs
It’s not always easy to fit climate change education into packed school schedules. “Funding is another hurdle (educating one child costs around Rs. 65). But seeing the curiosity and engagement in students’ eyes during our sessions makes it all worthwhile,” remarks Pranay.
The outdoor learning experiences are something that he particularly cherishes. “Connecting students with nature firsthand is incredibly powerful. It’s amazing to see how connected they become when surrounded by the environment we’re fighting to protect,” he tells.
Pranay Kumar at one of the sessions in Sikkim
Future plan
So far, Pranay has impacted students in five schools of Sikkim. Very recently he has started expansion programmes in colleges of Jharkhand as he belongs to that belt being a native of Muzaffarpur. “My vision goes far beyond the schools we’ve already impacted in Sikkim and Jharkhand. We have a bold dream of expanding our climate change education program throughout the entire Northeast, the Himalayan belt, and eventually, the plains of India. We are on a mission to educate the whole northeast India in the next 2 years,” he shares.
Pranay even dreams of going global with Nine Foundation someday. “Charity begins at home. We’re laser-focused on impacting our home country first,” he remarks adding, “It’s a long road ahead, but with education as our weapon, we can build a more sustainable future, one generation at a time.”
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