The Aplha People

GGreen Pencil Foundation is a youth-led NGO with a unique approach to community-driven initiatives, integrating efforts through advocacy, action, and analysis. It is a nationally operating NGO dedicated to enhancing education for underprivileged children and promoting environmental awareness to contribute towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our initiatives also encompass health-related endeavors, focusing on areas such as Menstrual Hygiene Management and Mental Health. As a registered NGO, we hold certifications including 12A, 80G, and CSR, emphasizing our commitment to transparency and accountability.

Khanda’s research revealed that 2.18 million people die of outdoor air pollution in India each year, a crisis that disproportionately affects children and the elderly. “Clean air is a basic human right; no one deserves to die from air pollution,” he asserts. To address this urgent issue, the foundation promotes sustainable education, practices, and habits aimed at reducing carbon footprints and waste. One of their notable campaigns, “Light up Bycycle,” launched during Diwali last year, advocated for active and sustainable mobility. The campaign not only promoted the use of bicycles to reduce emissions but also demanded better bicycle infrastructure from the government to ensure the safety of riders in cities and villages.

Continuing their advocacy, the Green Pencil Foundation initiated the “Pollution Se Azaadi” (Freedom From Pollution) campaign on Independence Day in 2023. This campaign focuses on educating schools, colleges, and communities on sustainable practices and habits that can significantly impact the environment. The campaign aims to reach five million people over the next two years, with the support of Jagran Media.

To date, the foundation has mobilized 2,000 young volunteers across India and has already impacted 55,000 individuals through its major initiatives on climate change and sustainable practices. Khanda remains optimistic about the future, believing that collective action and education can drive meaningful change in the fight against air pollution and environmental degradation.