As part of Climate Week in India, we gathered in Maharajganj, Eastern UP, to begin a day that was meant to be simple but meaningful. The group was mostly young-students, volunteers, and local youth and were curious, energetic, and ready for whatever the day would bring.
We started by setting a context and sharing what the day would look like, reminding ourselves that it wasn’t just about spending time outdoors but about taking something back with us. Then we walked over to a small local shop for breakfast. Chola samosa which is a very familiar regional breakfast was on the menu, and I stumbled upon a Peda so good that I had to buy some for everyone. That small, unplanned moment of excitement set the tone for the rest of the day: planned, but with plenty of surprises waiting.
On our way to the Tal (wetland), a group of local children followed us everywhere, giggling and whispering, trying to guess what this group of strangers was doing there. Their curiosity brought a playful energy to the walk and reminded us how even an ordinary place can become magical through someone else’s eyes.
The path to the tal was lined with familiar and unfamiliar plants. Butterflies danced around the trees, and a bright red dragonfly perched on fresh green leaves. Sanjay Pathak ji guided us, pointing out the significance of almost every plant or bird we encountered. Watching him talk about each species made it clear how deep and important local knowledge is.
We stopped for a bird-listening exercise, closing our eyes to catch different calls. Everyone loved it. When it was time to share reflections, voices mixed in English, Hindi, and Bhojpuri and it felt natural, like the landscape itself speaking through us.
Lunch was a potluck spread: aloo paratha, chutney, and bati chokha. Eating together stirred up thoughts about local food systems, food resilience, and how our food choices are connected to climate. I almost went off on a long rant about it but held back, not wanting to drown the moment. I hope the thought stays with them and after all, our food really is part of our climate action.
Later, back in the jungle, Nevish who leads We Embrace introduced the tree-hugging and whispering activity. Before we began, I unfolded our Purvanchal map and introduced bioregionalism as simply as I could, showing how rivers, forests, soils and pretty much everything that shapes us define our region rather than not administrative boundaries. The group leaned in with genuine interest, and that small exchange felt like a seed planted. The tree-hugging activity itself was quiet and personal. Some people smiled, others grew thoughtful, and each found their own moment of connection with the forest.
At the end of the day, we gathered in a circle led by Mandvi and Sandhavi (not sisters, though their names suggest otherwise). They thanked everyone for being there and even thanked me and Pathak ji for facilitating. It felt a little strange to be thanked but also deeply affirming and it reminded me why I want to keep doing this work.
Before leaving, we filled a chart with our individual commitments: small trade-offs and actions we promised to take for our bioregion. As a final gesture, they handed out handmade bookmarks with thoughtful words, a small reminder of the day’s conversations and the quiet awareness-building work they do year-round.
Walking back, the local children still following us, and the group buzzing with small conversations, I realized that the day was indeed how I envisioned it… It was about what we take away: the laughter, the listening, the food, the questions, the promises we made under the trees—and carrying those forward in our own lives.