- bidhan.probhaaurora@gmail.com
- +880 1791 822 404
Menu
TTPC Youth Symposium and CEE Conference in Ahmedabad 2025
After leaving my full-time job as a journalist, I joined an environmental organization, Probha Aurora, as a volunteer. Many people questioned my decision to leave my job to start volunteering, but I felt I had something meaningful to contribute to environmental efforts. What made this experience particularly interesting was that I could apply my journalism skills in this new role.
I began working on the Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) programme, organized by the Foundation of Environmental Education (FEE), with Probha Aurora, which serves as the national operator of FEE in Bangladesh. Additionally, I was involved in implementing the Tide Turners Plastic Challenge (TTPC) developed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Centre for Environmental Education (CEE) through Probha Aurora.
As I engaged with these two programmes, my initial doubts about leaving my job faded. I witnessed the impact these initiatives were having and the potential they had to create meaningful change. Meeting numerous people dedicated to raising environmental awareness through education further motivated me to contribute. Soon, I received an invitation to attend UNEP TTPC Youth Symposium and CEE’s Educating for Sustainability Conference in Ahmedabad. It wouldn’t be my first visit to India, but it would be my first time in Ahmedabad, often referred to as the “Manchester of India,” and my first conference focused on the environment. I was excited for all these reasons and more.
However, my excitement quickly turned to concern when I learned that Bangladeshis were facing difficulties obtaining Indian visas due to geopolitical tensions. The visa process was exhausting, which resulted in us having to change our flight and go straight to the airport from the visa center. Thankfully, we arrived at CEE just in time for the conference, and our Founder and Managing Director, Mr. Bidhan Chandra Pal, was able to attend UNEP TTPC Youth Symposium & FEE’s regional meeting as scheduled. This was a fortunate outcome, achieved thanks to the hard work of many people and our determination.
The challenges we encountered with the visa process were ultimately worth it. My time in Ahmedabad was thoroughly enjoyable, thanks to the careful planning by CEE. Everything was arranged for us, allowing us to focus solely on attending informative sessions and connecting with like-minded individuals who share similar goals. It was humbling to be surrounded by so many knowledgeable and influential people from around the globe.
During my free time, I explored the city and visited several sites, including the Mahatma Gandhi Sabarmati Ashram and the Sabarmati Riverfront. We were fortunate that our visit coincided with Ahmedabad’s 25th Annual Flower Show and the International Kite Festival. I was drawn to a colorful stall selling kites and couldn’t resist buying one. Later, I visited Alpha Mall, a large shopping center filled with international brands. As I roamed the bustling mall with my kite in hand, I noticed that Ahmedabad is a city where the old and new coexist beautifully. Tradition walks hand in hand with modern innovations, creating a place that offers something for everyone, allowing people from all walks of life to find enjoyment.
I also observed how gently people live alongside animals; many leave food or water out for them, even on the streets, and most follow a vegetarian diet. To me, it felt like a city full of kind-hearted individuals.
