Bajaj Foundation Hosts the 2025 Edition of ‘Youth Eco Summit’ in Mumbai

Mumbai, January 29, 2025: Bajaj Foundation today successfully hosted the second edition of ‘Youth Eco Summit’ at Bal Gandharv Rang Mandir, Mumbai, under the theme ‘Future Green Leaders: Powering an E-Waste Revolution’. Building on the success of its inaugural edition in New Delhi last year, YES 2025 brought together over 2000 students from 60 BMC-supported schools to educate them about e-waste and the challenges it presents.
 
Key participants at the event included Aman Bhaiya (Vice President & Head of Strategy, SBI Foundation), Dr. Ajay Kaushal (Scientist D, CMET, Hyderabad under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology), Yusuf Kabir (Specialist, Focal Point Climate, Environment & Emergency, UNICEF) and Dr. Priyadarshini Karve (National Convener, Indian Network on Ethics and Climate Change (INECC). The initiative was endorsed by renowned entities such as the TECNO Mobiles, UNICEF YuWaah, and the Ministry of Electronics and IT.
 
Speaking at the event, Pankaj Bajaj, Founder and Director of the Bajaj Foundation, said: "As the world’s third-largest producer of e-waste and home to the largest youth population, India’s young generation is uniquely positioned to battle the pressing e-waste issue, which is one of the greatest environmental challenges we face today. Bajaj Foundation focuses its initiatives on this ethos, driving action towards e-waste by empowering young brilliant minds. Youth Eco Summit serves as a platform for students and industry leaders to come together to collectively seek understanding of the e-waste crisis as well as ways to mitigate it. We are thrilled to see the response that the second edition of YES has received and we are gearing up to continue the momentum throughout the year.”
 
At the event, a panel discussion on ‘Nurturing Future Green Leaders by Empowering Children to Drive Environmental Change’ moderated by Nidhi Tewari (COP29 delegate) focused on understanding the impact of human actions on the environment and climate. The panelists discussed the need for collaborative action by corporates, communities, and academia to reduce carbon footprint and pave the way for a sustainable future.
The event also featured student-led panels, highlighting actionable steps for schools and communities to tackle the e-waste problem as well as innovative sustainability solutions.
 
“We are thrilled to support the Youth Eco Summit 2025, an inspiring platform that empowers young minds to take charge of building a sustainable future. This year’s theme, ‘Future Green Leaders: Powering an E-Waste Revolution,’ underscores the critical role youth play in addressing one of today’s most pressing environmental challenges. With over 200MT of e-waste responsibly managed in the fiscal year 2024-25 alone, TECNO is proud to be at the forefront of impactful initiatives. This summit not only highlights the importance of responsible e-waste management but also celebrates the creativity and commitment of students. Together with our partners, we are proud to drive meaningful change and champion youth-led solutions for a greener tomorrow.” said Arijeet Talapatra, CEO, TECNO India.
 
Famous Bollywood actress Ananya Pandey and her father, actor Chunky Pandey along with Aparshakti Khurana, renowned comedian Sunil Grover and Ishita Raj Sharma attended the event, interacting with children and advocating for adopting sustainable practices. Chess Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi and boxer-cum-politician Vijender Singh were also a part of the event.
 
In a fireside chat with Pankaj Bajaj, Ananya and Chunky Pandey spoke about the importance of youth-led initiatives in driving systemic change and raising awareness about responsible e-waste management. The keynote address at the event was delivered by Dr. Sumit Chowdhury (Founder & CEO, GreenEarthX), who lauded Bajaj Foundation’s efforts and highlighted the critical role of initiatives such as YES 2025 in addressing environmental challenges.
 
The participatory schools presented cultural performances focused on e-waste and environmental sustainability. The event also featured a different arena for creative showcase by children which included a waste to art exhibition, ‘Waste Reimagined’, School Eco Club Booths and a DIY corner. The event concluded with the Youth Eco Awards, celebrating groundbreaking projects and ideas from participating students that promote environmental sustainability.
 
The Bajaj Foundation remains steadfast in its commitment empowering the youth to take charge as catalysts of change, paving the way for a greener, more responsible future. Through its impactful programs, the Foundation has educated over 15,000 students from 3,000 schools across 50 cities in India on the importance of responsible e-waste management.