VICHAR’25 – National Youth Climate Conference

VICHAR, the National Youth Climate Conference, stands as a dynamic platform dedicated to addressing one of the most pressing global challenges of our time—climate change. Conceptualized and organized by SASYAM, an NGO devoted to promoting farmer welfare, sustainability, and environmentally conscious innovations, VICHAR offers students, research scholars, and working professionals a space to present their original research and practical solutions in the form of infographics and abstracts. The conference is not only a confluence of ideas but also a celebration of youth-led innovation for a greener future.

The 2025 edition of the event, titled VICHAR’25, was successfully conducted on 15th June, 2025 at the prestigious campus of Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology (GBPUAT), Pantnagar. The conference witnessed participation from across the country, culminating in the selection of top entries who were invited to present their work before a panel of esteemed delegates and academicians.

The 2025 edition was held on 15th June 2025 at GBPUAT, Pantnagar, bringing together delegates from across India.

Inaugural Ceremony

The day commenced with a spiritually uplifting Saraswati Vandana, symbolizing the pursuit of wisdom and knowledge, followed by the formal welcome of the esteemed guests. The inaugural session began with a thought-provoking address by Dr. Amit Kesarwani, Staff Counsellor of the University Literary Team. In his speech, Dr. Kesarwani appreciated the remarkable efforts of the organizing team and spoke at length about the alarming rise in climate-related threats, urging immediate and collective action by the youth.

Dr. A.S. Jeena Dean Student Welfare, GBPUAT, elaborated on the disturbing trends of increasing pollution, acid rains, and erratic weather patterns, and how these are disrupting ecological balance and agricultural practices. His address highlighted the urgency for institutional and grassroots-level interventions.
Dr. Salil Tewari Adjunt Professor at GBPUAT, emphasized the need for embracing sustainability and modern science-backed solutions to mitigate the challenges posed by environmental degradation. He encouraged participants to think beyond traditional boundaries and contribute actively towards climate resilience.
Dr. S.P.S. Beniwal The Guest of Honour, Dr. S.P.S. Beniwal, Chairman of the Asian Agri-History Foundation, added depth to the discussion by underlining the harmful impacts of chemical-laden agriculture. He advocated for a return to organic practices, such as the use of biofertilizers and herbal Kunap Jal, and stressed the importance of indigenous knowledge systems. He also appreciated the pivotal role of GBPUAT in fostering innovation and leadership in sustainable agriculture.
Dr. Jagdish Jaba Following this, Dr. Jagdish Jaba, Scientist and Head of Entomology at ICRISAT India, presented valuable insights into the changing dynamics of pest populations due to climate change and underscored the necessity for developing climate-resilient crop varieties. He also shared key findings from his ongoing research projects, offering participants a glimpse into real-time climate adaptation strategies.
Mr. Manoj Varshney Adding a global perspective to the conference, Mr. Manoj Varshney, CEO of IFFCO MC, addressed the gathering virtually. He spoke about the interconnected challenges posed by urbanization and climate change, particularly the rising incidences of heatwaves, flooding, and shifting climate zones across continents. His address served as a call to action for both policymakers and grassroots innovators alike.

Technical Sessions

Participants presented in online and offline modes on topics like:

Climate-resilient agriculture
Biodiversity conservation
Renewable energy
Sustainable farming

Judges included Dr. Anju Pal , Dr. Shweta Uniyal, and Dr. Amit Kesarwani. Each entry was evaluated on parameters such as originality, scientific merit, presentation quality, and relevance to contemporary climate challenges

Valedictory Session

The valedictory ceremony commenced post-presentation with encouraging remarks by Dr. Anju Pal , who commended the participants for their innovative thinking, data-driven insights, and commitment to sustainability. Dr. Amit Kesarwani praised the pan-India representation at the conference and emphasized the importance of youth-led initiatives in climate discourse.

The winners of the conference were then announced. The Top 5 Presenters were:

Miss Ayushi Joshi
Mr. Yash Pandey
Dr. Amit Anil Shahne
Miss Ritika Bargali
Miss Aishna Shrivastava and Miss Padmini Joshi

In a special recognition, Miss Anamika Sharma was conferred the Best Climate Researcher Award for her significant contributions and ongoing work in climate adaptation strategies for rural communities.

Offline participants were felicitated on stage by the dignitaries and jury members, acknowledging their presence and spirited participation.

Conclusion : A Vision for a Greener Future

The conference concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks delivered by Mr. Dhruv Sachdeva, Founder and CEO of SASYAM Foundation. He expressed his gratitude to the delegates, jury, organizing team, and participants for making VICHAR’25 a resounding success. Mr. Sachdeva also elaborated on his organization’s mission to empower farmers, bridge the knowledge gap, and mobilize the youth towards climate-positive action.

He reaffirmed the foundation's belief that collaborative innovation, guided by scientific knowledge and grassroots wisdom, is the most powerful tool to fight climate change.

Final Note

More than just a symposium, VICHAR’25 became a movement of ideas, echoing the aspirations of a generation that refuses to remain silent in the face of environmental crisis. It offered young minds not just a platform to showcase their ideas, but also a shared space to collaborate, inspire, and lead the change.

As curtains fell on this successful edition, one message resonated strongly: The future of our planet lies in informed, innovative, and inspired action—and VICHAR is the spark igniting that change.