Not Just Theory, but Practice: HSNC University Champions Net Zero Thinking at Master Lecture Series

Hyderabad (Sind) National Collegiate University (HSNC University), Mumbai, in association with the NCC Directorate, Maharashtra, organised the first edition of its Master Lecture Series for academic year 2025-26 at the Rama & Sundri Watumull Auditorium, KC College, Churchgate. The theme of the inaugural lecture was ‘Net Zero Homes and Institutions’, spotlighting the urgent need for sustainable living and institutional practices.

The event was graced by Col. Dr. Hemlata K. Bagla, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of HSNC University, keynote speaker Mrs Radhika Anand, renowned environmentalist and Founder & CEO of Plantology  and Maj. Gen. Yogender Singh, VSM, Additional Director General, NCC. The gathering also saw the esteemed presence of senior NCC leadership, including Colonel Deepak Jindal, Officer-in-Charge, Mumbai B Group; Group Captain Santosh Babu, Officer Commanding, 1 Air Squadron; Lieutenant Colonel R.K. Shyam, Officer Commanding, 1 Armoured Squadron; Lieutenant Colonel Manat Hussain, Commanding Officer, 1 Maharashtra Battalion; Commander Santosh John, Commanding Officer, 1 Maharashtra Naval Unit; and Lieutenant Colonel Santosh Ghag, Additional Director (Training), NCC Directorate Maharashtra, reflecting the strong partnership between academia and the armed forces in shaping environmentally conscious citizens.

Leading by Example: A Vision Rooted in Action

In her opening remarks, Col. Dr. Hemlata K. Bagla, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of HSNC University, set the tone for the session with a powerful message:“Universities are not just centres of learning, they are laboratories of change. At HSNC University, we believe that sustainability must move beyond theory into everyday practice. Lectures like these empower our students to lead that transition. The ‘Net Zero’ mission is not a far-off dream; it starts with the choices we make today and the youth are at the heart of this transformation.”

“At HSNC University, we see ESG not as a checkbox but as a compass, guiding how we educate, operate and engage with the world. Sustainability, equity and ethical governance must be embedded into the DNA of every institution,” Dr. Bagla highlighted.

“When you empower an NCC cadet, you’re not just reaching one individual… you’re activating a multiplier,” said Dr. Bagla. “Each cadet has the potential to influence 10-20 more peers, families and communities. That ripple effect is exactly what the sustainability movement needs.”

Honouring the Green Spirit

In recognition of her impactful work and advocacy, Mrs. Radhika Anand was formally conferred the title of ‘Green Ambassador’ of HSNC University by Dr. Bagla during the event. “This honour reflects HSNC University’s deep commitment to environmental consciousness and its resonance with Mrs. Anand’s vision for a greener, more sustainable world,” she said.

In her new role, Mrs. Anand will spearhead initiatives that foster net-zero thinking, sustainable practices and  environmental stewardship across HSNC University campuses. She will actively engage students, staff and communities in reimagining their relationship with the planet, through mindful action, awareness and meaningful dialogue with nature.

Reaffirming the University’s dedication to climate responsibility and nation-building through knowledge-sharing, Dr. Bagla concluded with a resonant thought: “We don’t inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. Let’s not return it trashed.”

From Waste to Wonder: A Journey of Intention

Mrs. Anand’s lecture traced her transition into a zero-waste lifestyle, a decision not driven by trends, but a deep-rooted conviction. “It began with discomfort.. watching the waste my home was generating and asking: where does this go? What does it cost the planet?”

She explained the idea of a zero-waste home as one that sends nothing to landfills, instead, it lives by the four Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and  Recover. Her journey was neither instant nor perfect, but it was intentional. “You don’t need to buy your way into sustainability,” she said. “You just need to pause, question and choose better. That’s it. Zero-waste is simply conscious living, with love for the planet.”

She shared that her home in Delhi has no dustbins except for one in the kitchen used to separate wet and dry waste. “Remember,” she reminded the audience, “waste is not waste till you waste it. Everything can be recovered, reused and recycled”

What began as a personal commitment grew into a wider movement. Her home became a working prototype and her mission expanded into schools, workplaces and communities. Through initiatives like Mission Fal-Van, which promotes the planting of fruit-bearing trees and other sustainable urban models, she has helped others replicate her approach, turning awareness into action across ecosystems.

She debunked one of the most persistent myths about composting, the idea that it smells unpleasant. “When done right, composting doesn’t stink. In fact, it smells like fresh earth after rain,” she reassured the audience. The secret, she shared, lies in balance. The simple formula? One part wet biodegradable waste  (like fruit peels, vegetable scraps, or tea leaves) to three parts dry matter such as dry leaves, shredded newspaper or cardboard. This keeps the compost aerated and odour-free by preventing sogginess and anaerobic decomposition. “Composting isn’t dirty,” she smiled. “It’s beautiful. It’s how we return nourishment to the soil, instead of letting it rot in a landfill.”

Through these vivid, everyday anecdotes, Mrs. Anand made a powerful point: sustainability isn’t some distant or elite ideal, it’s personal, practical and  often right under our nose. One such moment sparked curiosity and smiles across the auditorium: “Even your hair and nails, instead of being thrown away, can go back to the soil. Compost them. Let them return to the earth. The plants will thank you,” she said, blending science with sentiment.

Homegrown Solutions and Ground Realities

Mrs. Anand introduced low-cost, high-impact models for waste segregation, using five simple cartons to seggregate paper, plastics, metals, glass and  e-waste, which can help transform households into micro waste-management units.

Addressing a crisis that often escapes public attention, Mrs.  Anand drew focus to the alarming rate of top soil degradation, the loss of Earth’s most fertile and life-sustaining layer.“Top soil is life,” she said. “It determines the health of Mother Earth. Without it, nothing grows, not food, not forests, not futures.” She termed black soil as black gold and explained how decades of poor land management, unchecked urbanisation and pollution are steadily depleting this fragile layer, which takes centuries to form but can vanish in mere years. And as top soil disappears, the damage ripples outward, disturbing not only plants, but the entire web of life that depends on them, including birds, bees, butterflies and other silent custodians of the ecosystem.

Her passion for nature restoration came alive in tales of seed balls, guerilla gardening and  Mission Fal-Van, waste water recycling initiatives that empower everyday citizens to green the planet, one tree at a time.

A particularly touching moment came when she spoke of over 50-100 Baya Weaver bird nests at her Delhi home, a reward, she says, for creating a toxin-free, tree-rich space where nature feels welcome. “They chose to nest at my home, because the environment invited them.”

A Wake-Up Call Wrapped in Hope

Mrs. Anand didn’t shy away from tough truths. She compared India’s waste management challenges to visibly cleaner nations like Sri Lanka and gulf countries, urging a shift in mindset over blame. “It’s not about policy or population. It’s about individual responsibility. If they can do it, so can we and way better too.”

She went beyond frameworks and facts, she told stories that struck a human chord. One such moment that lingered with the audience was the tale of the hummingbird and the forest fire. As the story goes, a massive fire engulfs a forest. While the other animals flee or watch in despair, a tiny hummingbird flies back and forth from a stream, dropping small droplets of water onto the flames, doing what it can to help. When asked what difference it could possibly make, the hummingbird simply replies:“I’m doing the best I can.”

For Mrs. Anand, this simple parable captures the heart of zero-waste living and climate responsibility. “We don’t need a handful of people doing sustainability perfectly,” she said. “We need millions doing it imperfectly but earnestly. Like the hummingbird, doing the best they can.”

It was a quiet yet powerful reminder: real change doesn’t always begin with the government or grand policies. Sometimes, it starts with one person, choosing not to look away.

A Collective Commitment to the Planet

 

Maj. Gen. Yogender Singh, VSM, Additional Director General, NCC, reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ continued push towards sustainable development. He urged all present to adopt eco-compatible lifestyles and stressed the power of segregating waste at source. “If India is to achieve net-zero, it will be because disciplined, committed youth like you chose to lead the way,” he said.

NCC cadets, students and staff who attended left the venue armed not just with awareness, but with tools to act.

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