D CAL is a community within DY Patil deemed to be University thriving towards making the world a better place to live in by staying committed to the cause of preventing the effects caused due to climate change by promoting sharing of information and taking necessary actions that make a difference.
The D- CAL is spearheaded by Ms. Rajlakshmi V. Patil, who is a 19-year-old student pursuing a BA degree in geography at University College London. Ms. Rajlakshmi is a passionate environmentalist and has participated in multiple environmental activities in India and in Switzerland over the past years. In 2019, she organized a successful Mangrove Cleanliness Drive and participated in regular beach clean-ups and tree plantations in Mumbai. She is also involved in social advocacy in India, founding the Charity Soccer League in 2018, an initiative to raise funds to improve the medical amenities for pediatric patients.
On 16th July 2022, D-CAL organized Only One earth, a panel Discussion on Environment, Sustainability, and Action in collaboration with DY Patil deemed to be University. The panel was graced by 5 esteemed panelists, Dr. Subhajit Mukherjee (Ambassador -Majhi Vasundhara Abhiyan), Dr. Chinu Kwatra (Founder -Khushiyaan Foundation), Dr. Lata Ghashamnani (Co-Founder -Rnisarg Foundation), Mr. Malhar Kalambe (Environmentalist & United Nations Awardee Founder-Beach Please) and Mst. Ayaan Shankta (Enviornmentalist, 2021 International young Eco-Hero). An intrigued panel discussion took place at the DY Patil auditorium in the presence of 850 students. The panel was moderated by Ms. Rajlakshmi (Founder- D-CAL Environmentalist) and Dr. Bhavika (Asst. Professor, DY Patil School of Medicine). The event commenced on a Green note with the planting of saplings by our esteemed panelists. The participants were enthralled with the discussion and participated with a lot of enthusiasm. We have only one earth, in order to save it, our honorable guests shared valuable insights regarding waste management, biowaste management, beach cleanliness drive, pollution-free lakes, and tree plantations. Dr. Lata educated the audience to be minimalistic and to be aware of everything that they are consuming. She emphasized to segregate waste into 3- dry, wet, and e-waste within everyone’s premises. Dr. Subhajit encouraged everyone to independently save rainwater, and DIY (Do it yourself), he further elaborated to create more gardens for the environment. Mr. Malhar shared his social work and inspired the students to participate in Mangrove activities.
The students were delighted to receive a sapling each as a Green takeaway and were truly motivated. The session concluded with participants taking a Green pledge to be more conscious of their behavior towards Mother Earth. Ms. Rajlakshmi initiated this successful event and plans to do many more such activities for the environment. Outside of this, Ms. Rajlakshmi enjoys writing poems and has published her first collection of poems ‘Mystic’.
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