At AISSMS College of Hotel Management & Catering Technology, we believe that education goes beyond classrooms and that students learn valuable life lessons when they contribute to society. With this thought, our college actively participated in the Plant Your Future Campaign 2026 (PYFC 2.0), a nationwide green volunteering initiative held from 28th July to 26th August 2026. The PYFC 2.0 – Green Conference, organised under the theme “Plant Your Future”, was scheduled on Sunday, 6th September 2026, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Vishwa Yuvak Kendra, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi.
The campaign, organised by Social Action Mobilizer (SAM), aimed to bring together over 70 educational institutions, 50 NGOs and 30,000 volunteers across India to promote environmental awareness and sustainable practices.
Under our Community Engagement Services (CES) initiative, students enthusiastically participated in all the campaign activities, including tree plantation, plastic and e-waste collection, campus clean-up drives, composting, upcycling waste materials, plastic-free initiatives and the Green Open Mic. What made these activities special was the creativity, teamwork and willingness of our students to contribute towards a greener environment.
As the faculty coordinator, my focus was not merely on encouraging participation but on helping students understand why these small efforts matter. Through regular interactions, discussions and hands-on activities, I motivated them to take responsibility, come up with their own ideas and look at environmental conservation as a part of everyday life rather than just a college activity. It was encouraging to see students taking initiative, working in teams and finding innovative ways to reuse waste materials.
The institute extended continuous support by providing the necessary resources, guidance and opportunities for students to carry out these initiatives. The active involvement of students, faculty and the institution made the campaign a meaningful learning experience.
Our collective efforts received national recognition when AISSMS CHMCT was honoured with the Green Innovation Award at the PYFC 2.0 National Green Conference in Delhi. Participating students also received certificates recognising their contribution towards environmental sustainability.
For us, the greatest achievement was not just the award but the awareness, responsibility and confidence developed among our students. The campaign reminded us that meaningful change does not always require big actions. Sometimes, planting a sapling, collecting a plastic bottle, reusing an old material or inspiring one more person to care for the environment can make a difference.
At AISSMS CHMCT, our green journey continues, because we believe that small steps taken together can create a better tomorrow.
Dr. Sarika Joshi
Faculty Coordinator – Community Engagement Services
AISSMS CHMCT, Pune
