{"id":6110,"date":"2025-10-28T22:27:26","date_gmt":"2025-10-28T16:57:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/?p=6110"},"modified":"2025-10-29T23:03:46","modified_gmt":"2025-10-29T17:33:46","slug":"beyond-the-classroom-university-festival-dives-into-the-crisis-and-culture-of-indias-coasts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/?p=6110","title":{"rendered":"Beyond the Classroom: University Festival Dives into the Crisis and Culture of India’s Coasts"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Azim Premji University Dives Deep with Festival Celebrating India’s Coastal Ecosystems<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Bengaluru \u2013 <\/strong>Azim Premji University has launched the fourth edition of its acclaimed annual climate festival, turning its focus to the vital and vibrant world of India’s marine frontiers. Titled “Coasts & Oceans of Life” (COoL), the event aims to bridge the gap between scientific research and public awareness through a dynamic blend of art, science, and community dialogue.<\/p>\n

Running from October 27 to November 8, 2025, the festival is free and open to the public, inviting visitors on an immersive journey to understand the intricate connections between ocean health, coastal communities, and human survival. Building upon the successes of previous festivals dedicated to Rivers, Forests, and Mountains, this year’s edition plunges into the ecology, livelihoods, and cultural imagination shaped by the seas surrounding India.<\/p>\n

The festival transforms the university campus into a multisensory hub of exploration. Attendees can engage with student research exhibits on marine biodiversity, experience captivating art installations, join storytelling sessions and documentary screenings, and participate in hands-on workshops led by a diverse group of scientists, artists, and community practitioners from across the nation.<\/p>\n

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A Tide of Change: Bengaluru Festival Fuses Art and Science to Save Our Seas<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A Lineup of Interactive Learning and Discovery<\/strong><\/p>\n

The festival’s program is designed to inspire curiosity and a sense of stewardship. Key sessions include “Ocean Health and Humans: Pollution, Stories and Solutions” led by diver-artist Uma Mani, and “Island Systems” with Mariam Ali of the Andamans Conservancy Foundation. Marine biologist Linoy Libini will lead a discussion on “Coastal Resilience,” while Mayuresh Gangal from the Nature Conservation Foundation will address the critical issue of “Fishing and Overfishing.”<\/p>\n

Beyond lectures, the event encourages active participation. Experiential workshops will guide attendees in creating ocean soundscapes, modeling traditional Uru ships from Beypore, and exploring India\u2019s rich intertidal zones through a fusion of artistic and scientific lenses.<\/p>\n

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Dive Deep: How One University is Inspiring the Next Generation of Ocean Guardians<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Fostering a Generation of Eco-Conscious Citizens<\/strong><\/p>\n

University leadership emphasizes that the festival is a core part of its educational mission, designed to make the science of climate change accessible and compelling, especially for the young.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur climate festivals are designed to bring the science of climate change to the young children of this nation,\u201d said Dr. Harini Nagendra, Director of the School of Climate Change & Sustainability. \u201cEach year we choose a landscape that connects ecology, community, and culture. Through art, dialogue, and student research, we hope visitors will experience how deeply the oceans shape every aspect of our lives\u2014and why their conservation is not merely critical for our planet, but our own very survival.”<\/p>\n

Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Richa Govil, Vice Chancellor of Azim Premji University, highlighted the broader educational philosophy. \u201cThe Coasts & Oceans of Life festival reflects our belief that education goes beyond classrooms. When children, college students, and the public engage directly with ideas of sustainability, they begin to see themselves as part of the larger ecological story. Festivals like these inspire curiosity, empathy, and responsibility\u2014values that are central to learning and to building a sustainable future.\u201d<\/p>\n

The festival stands as a powerful reminder that protecting our blue planet is not just an environmental imperative but a collective celebration of life itself. It represents a proactive step towards empowering citizens with the knowledge and motivation to become champions for our coasts and oceans.<\/p>\n

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Your Invitation to Explore: The “Coasts & Oceans of Life” Festival is Here<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Key Quotes<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

From Dr. Harini Nagendra (Director, School of Climate Change & Sustainability):<\/strong><\/p>\n