Munish Sood
Mandi
In a powerful example of grassroots innovation meeting national academia, Santosh Sachdeva, a member of the Naina Art and Craft Self Help Group from Himachal Pradesh, brought the voice of forest conservation and women-led sustainability to NIT Delhi, where she showcased her eco-friendly products during the two-day Gyan Sabha 2026.
Selected under a CSR-supported initiative, Santosh Sachdeva participated in the national conclave hosted by the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Delhi, where artisans, scholars and thinkers from across India gathered to deliberate on Indian Knowledge Systems and holistic education.
Turning a Forest Hazard into Sustainable Livelihood
Sachdeva highlighted innovative products made from “Chalru” grass, a dry forest grass that often becomes a major cause of wildfires in Himachal’s forests. By converting this otherwise hazardous material into useful handicrafts, her group has created a dual-impact model—forest protection and rural employment.
At her stall, she displayed and sold:
• Roti baskets
• Tea coaster sets
• Pen stands
• Flower stands
• Decorative flower sticks made from pine cones
Visitors from Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and several other states not only appreciated the craftsmanship but also actively purchased the products, encouraging the eco-friendly initiative.
“Through this work, we are preventing forest fires and creating income for rural women,” Sachdeva explained while interacting with delegates. “People were surprised to see how something considered waste can become a solution.”
Support from Rotary Club and Environmental Mentors
Sachdeva acknowledged the crucial support extended by Rotary Club members and Tara Sen, whom she credited for introducing her to environmental conservation initiatives and consistently promoting her work.
“They believed in me, guided me, and helped me reach platforms like NIT Delhi,” she said, calling the experience a milestone for her self-help group and for women artisans from Himachal Pradesh.
What is Gyan Sabha 2026?
Gyan Sabha 2026 is a two-day national academic conclave scheduled for January 24–25, 2026, hosted by NIT Delhi in association with Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas.
The conclave aims to create a national dialogue on Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) and their relevance in modern education, governance and societal development.
Key Objectives of Gyan Sabha
• Reconnecting higher education with India’s traditional knowledge systems
• Promoting value-based and holistic education
• Exploring the relevance of the Gurukul system in contemporary times
• Encouraging balanced education focusing on mind, body, intellect and ethics
• Aligning academic discourse with the vision of NEP-2020
Thematic Focus
The two-day programme features five thematic sessions covering:
• Indian knowledge traditions
• Education and culture
• Holistic human development
• Ethics, values and sustainability
• Nation-building through education
A special Gyan Sabha booklet outlining the vision and themes of the conclave will also be released.
Eminent Speakers
The conclave will be addressed by several national-level leaders, including:
• Krishna Gopal, Deputy Secretary, RSS
• Dr. Atul Kothari, National Secretary, Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas
• Vineet Joshi, Secretary, Department of Higher Education
• Pankaj Mittal, Director, Association of Indian Universities
Bridging Tradition, Sustainability and Modern Education
By giving space to grassroots changemakers like Santosh Sachdeva alongside scholars and policymakers, Gyan Sabha 2026 underlines its core philosophy—that Indian knowledge is not confined to texts, but lives through sustainable practices, community wisdom and ethical action.
Sachdeva’s journey from Himalayan forests to a national academic platform stands as a living example of how traditional knowledge, environmental responsibility and women’s entrepreneurship can together shape a more sustainable future.
