New Delhi, India, June 05: Reinforcing its commitment towards sustainability and environmental stewardship, Panasonic India marked World Environment Day 2026 through its flagship environmental initiative, ‘Joy of Green – Harit Umang’, an impactful program focused on creating awareness and driving behavioural change among youth towards sustainable living and circular economy practices. Aligned with the Mission LiFE announced by Hon’ble Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, the initiative also collaborates with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to spread awareness on e-waste management and responsible recycling practices for wider community impact.
As part of the initiative, Panasonic India organized the seventh edition of the Harit Umang Olympiad and Felicitation Ceremony on the occasion of World Environment Day to recognize and honor young Green Ambassadors, schools, and educational institutions for their contribution towards environmental awareness and sustainable action. The seventh edition witnessed active participation from over 500 student Green Ambassadors across educational institutions, who undertook various sustainability-driven initiatives throughout the year.
The felicitation ceremony acknowledged students who actively participated in year-long engagements including e-waste collection drives, awareness campaigns, quizzes, webinars, Model UN dialogues, sustainability contests, and community outreach programs under the Harit Umang initiative, further strengthening the program’s objective of creating grassroots environmental impact through youth-led participation.
Dr. Vishal Choudhary, Scientist -F, Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to Government of India, said, “It was a pleasure to be a part of the Harit Umang Program and witness the enthusiasm and commitment of young students towards environmental sustainability. I congratulate all the participants for their remarkable efforts and encourage them to continue being responsible environmental citizens. I was also delighted to share insights about the initiatives in the fields of S&T ecosystem, with the hope of inspiring students to explore the role of science and innovation in building a sustainable future.”
Dr. Rita Sharma, Additional Director of Education, Directorate of Education (DoE), Government of NCT of Delhi, said, “We congratulate the Harit Umang team on their commendable efforts in promoting environmental awareness among students. We are pleased to associate with this initiative and are excited about our upcoming collaboration. We look forward to working together to create meaningful learning opportunities and inspire young minds to contribute towards a sustainable future.”
Adarsh Mishra, CHRO & Director- External Affairs and Sustainability, Panasonic Life Solutions India, said, “At Panasonic India, we are committed to fostering a culture of sustainability by empowering youth to lead meaningful environmental action. Initiatives like Harit Umang enable lasting behaviour change and community impact through awareness and engagement.”
Saurabh Gupta, Lead – Environmental and Sustainability Affairs, Panasonic Life Solutions India, said, “The Harit Umang Program reflects our continued commitment towards building awareness and encouraging meaningful environmental action among youth and communities. Through sustained engagement, the initiative has focused on translating awareness into everyday responsible practices around sustainability, e-waste management, and recycling. We believe that empowering young Green Ambassadors can create a strong multiplier effect within communities and drive long-term behavioural change.”
As part of the 2025–26 engagements, students and participating institutions collectively achieved significant milestones:
- Over 900 kg of e-waste was collected across 10 schools for safe and scientific disposal
- More than 9,000 dry cell batteries were collected through awareness and collection drives promoting responsible battery disposal and recycling
- A Model UN Dialogue was organized on the theme “Accelerating Climate Action through Youth-led Initiatives”, encouraging discussions around circularity, technology, and sustainable consumer behaviour
- The program also welcomed the association of the Directorate of Education, Delhi Government, further strengthening its outreach and impact
Through year-long activities including webinars, quizzes, contests, campaigns, walkathons, pilot projects, and environmental awareness drives, Harit Umang continues to create meaningful grassroots impact by inspiring youth to become catalysts for sustainable change within their communities.
Launched in 2019 to commemorate Panasonic’s 100th anniversary, Harit Umang has evolved into a strong platform engaging schools, colleges, RWAs, and communities to nurture young “Green Ambassadors” and encourage responsible environmental action aligned with Panasonic Green Impact and Mission LiFE. Through continued partnerships and education-led engagement, Panasonic India remains committed to building a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future.