Green Warriors: How DY Patil Students Are Tackling Climate Change

Mumbai: D Y Patil International School, Worli recently turned its campus into a hub for environmental action by hosting the #NowForClimate Tree Plantation Drive. Spearheaded by Dr. Ajeenkya D Y Patil and Ish Patil in partnership with the Bhamla Foundation, the event was a key component of the World Environment Day 2026 campaign. Students joined forces with teachers, special guests, and public figures to plant trees, moving climate education out of the textbooks and into a hands-on, practical experience.

Dr. Ajeenkya D Y Patil, Chairman of the Ajeenkya D Y Patil Group, attended the drive, underscoring the institution's commitment to a holistic educational philosophy that prioritizes growth beyond just grades. This effort fits into a wider pedagogical strategy designed to foster student involvement in civic and environmental matters through real-world engagement.

Ish Patil played a central role in the proceedings, offering a fresh, next-generation outlook on the D Y Patil education ecosystem. Her active involvement emphasized the necessity of crafting school experiences that address the pressing issues relevant to modern students, such as community service, social responsibility, and climate consciousness.

The initiative also welcomed back Saher Bhamla, a DYPIS, Worli alumna, who returned to her former school under the banner of the Bhamla Foundation's climate project. Her presence provided a meaningful bridge between the school's past and present, uniting alumni and current students under a common goal of environmental stewardship.

Among the notable public figures supporting the cause was actor and wellness advocate Shilpa Shetty. The event drew a diverse group of participants from the worlds of media, entertainment, wellness, and public service, including Faye D'Souza, Yasmin Karachiwala, Kanika Kapoor, Neeti Mohan, Pankaja Munde, Jaykumar Rawal, Lakshmi Manchu, Chhaya Momaya and Humaira Kaazi.

For DYPIS, Worli, this plantation drive serves as a prime example of how educational institutions are leveraging campus activities to introduce students to significant social issues. In a metropolis like Mumbai, where challenges like rising temperatures, air quality, and the loss of green spaces are daily realities, the program offered students a tangible, participatory method to grasp the importance of environmental stewardship.

The day’s agenda featured sapling planting, student-guest interactions, and various activities centered on the #NowForClimate campaign. Ultimately, the event reinforced the vital role schools play in molding students who are not just academically proficient, but also deeply conscious of the civic and environmental hurdles facing their world.

With Dr. Ajeenkya D Y Patil and Ish Patil leading the charge, the event highlighted DYPIS, Worli’s commitment to using real-world engagement to cultivate student awareness. The involvement of Saher Bhamla further underscored the idea that the values instilled during school years continue to resonate long after graduation, finding new life through the contributions of alumni to the broader community.