my uttarakhand news BureauDehradun, 19 Jan: ‘Humans For Humanity’ hosted a three-day immersive residency, titled ‘Earth Democracy’ at the Navdanya Biodiversity Conservation Farm in Dehradun. The programme created a reflective and experiential space in which ecology, culture, science, food, and the arts converged.Rooted in Dr Vandana Shiva’s seminal Earth Democracy philosophy, the residency brought together participants from across India—including Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Delhi, Assam, and more. The group included professionals from film, science and technology, corporate leadership, women leaders, and social impact practitioners, all united in their commitment to exploring sustainable living.The residency opened with an evocative storytelling session by acclaimed puppeteer Ram Lal Bhatt, whose narratives draw from oral traditions and social consciousness. Through puppetry, he highlighted the consequences of unchecked modernisation and the erosion of traditional knowledge systems.This was followed by the keynote address, ‘Earth Democracy, Food Freedom and the Future of Life’, delivered by Dr Vandana Shiva, globally respected environmental thinker, eco-feminist, and founder of Navdanya. Drawing on four decades of activism, she spoke about seed sovereignty, biodiversity, farmers’ rights, and the ethical foundations of food systems—insights participants described as deeply transformative.The evening concluded with a sound healing session led by Komal Batra, trained healer and former Chairperson of FICCI FLO, Uttarakhand, who guided participants into an experience of stillness and mindful listening.Day two began with a guided exploration of Navdanya Farm’s living seed bank by Bhawana Semwal, who introduced over seventy indigenous rice varieties, grains, pulses, and medicinal seeds. The session highlighted the importance of biodiversity in soil health, moisture retention, and ecological resilience.Cultural anthropologist Lokesh Ohri led a powerful session titled Living with Place, addressing slow tourism, community-rooted living, and the risks of development detached from ecological and cultural contexts.The evening programme, Naivedyam – Food for the Divine, featured Dr Usha RK, former Member Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, who explored the spiritual significance of food offerings. This was followed by a Bharatanatyam performance by renowned Pune-based dancer Arundhati Patwardhan, blending ritual, scholarship, and artistic expression.The final day focused on sustainability in everyday choices. The panel on textiles and clothing featured Rachna Dushyant Singh, traditional artisan Lubna Khanam of Najibabad, and scientist Dr Priti Krishna. Their discussions spanned fast fashion’s environmental toll, handloom traditions, and climate-conscious living.Throughout the residency, former diplomat Shikha Ghildiyal facilitated tarot and healing sessions, offering participants tools for introspection and wellbeing.Curated by Anurag Chauhan, founder of Humans For Humanity, the residency reflects his long-standing association with Navdanya and Dr Shiva. Since first attending her talk in 2011 as a student, Anurag has championed sustainability and women’s empowerment, impacting over 5 million women through initiatives like the WASH Project.Reflecting on the residency, he shared, “Earth Democracy was imagined as a return to listening—listening to the soil, to culture, to food, and to each other. When we slow down enough to listen, care becomes natural. This residency was about remembering that sustainability begins not with answers, but with awareness.”The residency concluded with a collective tree-planting ceremony, symbolising commitment to the planet and future generations.
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