Stride for Sustainability

As soon as the starting whistle echoed, a wave of movement surged through the AtkinsRealis (AR) marathon runners, with feet hitting the ground rhythmically, from our Safina Tower office towards Cubbon Park. This marathon was specifically energised by our executive leadership team including Philip Hoare @kelly gill Andrée-Claude Bérubé , Ruth Bailey , Bharat Gala , Somnath Bhagavatula , Yogesh M. Sawdadkar CEng FICE (he/him) , Shivaprasad Madaiah Dr. Chaitanya Calla , Gurumurthy Bharadwaj CEng FICE , Gurucharan Singh and many more. As expected, there were nearly 70+ staff including volunteers, ready with unmatched enthusiasm, before even the crack of dawn broke over Bangalore on 30th July 2024. As they raced ahead there was an instant uplift in energy and a palpable sense of excitement amongst the staff. ?Despite Phil’s busy schedule of India GTC visit, he had set aside some time for this marathon to provide these moments of connection to people and nature by inspiring and reaffirming the collective goal of sustainable development, as part of AtkinsRealis CSR agenda.

Cubbon park, nestled in the heart of Bangalore, is an indispensable treasure and a lush green sanctuary. It offers a serene escape from the city's busy life. It is a place where history, culture, and nature converge; giving us a chance to reconnect with the serene rhythms of the natural world. That morning was particularly enchanting, as the air was alive with melodious birdsongs and the soft rustling of leaves in the cold air.

As I was entering the gate through a thick canopy of majestic trees, I slowed down in nostalgia unconsciously. I remember how mesmerised I was when I visited the park for the first time, few years back with my young family, on a Sunday morning. These trees have offered us numerous moments of an introspection through its soothing ambiance as a sunday morning routine for few years. I once again bowed down to its creators for this verdant haven, a masterpiece of natural and timeless charm spread over 300 acres since 1870. ?I am also grateful to its current protectors who have been fighting for its retention as Bangalore’s green lungs. I thanked all those ancient trees as well, some of which have stood for centuries, with their gnarled trunks and deeper roots demonstrating their resilience and endurance. I felt they would have seen many marathon runners and families with children cycling, playing over the decades. ?

Alongside this natural splendour, the runners found camaraderie and unity, their collective effort a testament to the power of community in advocating for sustainability. With each stride, the runners felt a profound connection to the environment. As the marathon progressed, the sense of rejuvenation and fulfilment grew. The marathon had not only tested their physical limits but also deepened their commitment to sustainable living and community bonds.

The marathon concluded with a tree plantation by Philip Hoare, Andree and Kelly. ?This reminded me of my first tree plantation with my granddad, when I was amazed by his extensive mango grove in a picturesque tranquil village tucked amongst green hills in western Maharashtra. He explained how his ancestors left their legacy through these trees, as these trees live longer than us. When I also expressed my keenness to learn planting, he gave me the liberty to choose a place of my liking from the land on his farm which stretched to as far as I could see! That day, we planted my first mango tree. That pious soul patted on my back with a blessing that whatever I would sow, it will flourish. It is still valid! With a lot of emotion in his voice, he left an indelible mark on my mind, saying that this open land is like a blank canvas and it should be developed for the greater good of people with a heart full of compassion. ?

With due course of time, under the name of development, I also left that tranquil independent and self -sufficient village and got busier finding my feet in various metropolitan cities across the globe….only to realise now that the busy journey eventually transformed me so much that I did not realise when acre as a unit of measurement became foreign and square feet became home…..I am sure I am not the only person to have chosen this change…that’s why our cities are becoming gridlocked, congested, concrete jungles and our once prosperous villages are now barren…

Now is the right time that we urge that the development should go back to our roots to our country sides and villages….Let’s promote the sustainable development- a more balanced economic, ecological and environmental development for all.. I imagine it has to be step by step—from tier 1 cities to tier 2 to tier 3 and deep inside…inclusive for all to protect the Precious!