Sustainable Practices

Reaching out with a difference.

Sri Aurobindo Institute of Culture (SAIOC) procured land in 2006 in the village Brindakhali, Uttarbhag near Baruipur, 24 Parganas (South) near Kolkata, and decided to use it to develop education and health care amongst women and children of villages around Uttarbhag and to improve the livelihood of the villagers. Hence the institute and its sister institution, The Future Foundation School (TFFS), have been conducting a Community Outreach Programme since 2006.

The multi-pronged activities include, as a benchmark, free medical treatment and distribution of medicines, free of cost, by a proficient Homoeopath once a week, to more than 400 villagers.

Aurokul, the non-formal education programme that started with 51 village children on July 11, 2017 now has nearly 200 children of varied age groups. Notably, children partake of joyful learning, getting recognition for best performances in every class. TFFS alumni, school teachers and even senior students take classes that impart: Life Skills, Manners & Etiquette, English, Bengali, Mathematics, Science, Geography, Computer Science, Dance and Music, Instruments like Violin & Synthesizer and Indoor & Outdoor games.

The institute and school believe and have a vision of educating and guiding children to make them self-learners, and so much effort has been given to enhance and teach them in fun-ways the skill building programmes in areas such as life skills, manners and etiquette, Karate, debates, extempore, art, craft and instruments like Violin and Synthesizer. Children are encouraged to play both indoor and outdoor games. The children are given and taught medical care. In performing arts the children have taken part and performed dance and drama on stage before more than 400 people. They have taken part in debates and extempore. Moreover, the children enjoy the field trips immensely.

The students of The Future Foundation School (TFFS), have raised funds for the programme. These are members of the Interact Club and the Earth Lovers’ Club. The students maintain accounts, make surveys and work in the free dispensary. Students have collected old clothes, books, and toys for regular distribution. They have even planted saplings along with the village children

The Non-Formal Education programme is very beneficial for the village children. Their keen interest in the classes has helped the students of Madhyamik and the junior students pass their examinations well. The children are very happy to attend Aurokul Class as the learning is through joy and fun. With time, the bearing, demeanour, aptitude and skill set of the children stand positively enhanced. They are, today, forthcoming and outgoing enough to stage cultural performances in front of an enthralled audience.

With this unique community service programme, the school aspires to be a meaningful presence in the lives of the less fortunate and make their lives happier, in some measure.

A Living Model of Community and Mutual Support

The interconnected functioning of Arun Nursery School, Sweet Home, Aumorto Senior Community Living, Aurokul and TFFS represents a living model of society where different age groups and communities support and learn from each other. This network reflects a harmonious system built on mutual trust, care, responsibility, and human bonding, which can serve as an example for society and the nation.

How They Are Connected

Arun Nursery School – Foundation of Early Childhood Care Nurtures young children in a caring and value-based environment Builds the foundation of love, discipline, and human connection

TFFS – Growth and Holistic Education

Develops students intellectually, emotionally, and socially Encourages responsibility, empathy, and conscious living Connects students with society through outreach and interactions (CLUBS)

Sweet Home –Day care facility- supporting working parents, learning manners and etiquette

Aumorto Senior Community Living – Wisdom and Experience Provides students an opportunity to interact with elders Builds respect for experience, wisdom, and life values Strengthens intergenerational bonding and human connection

The Web of Living Together, they create a living ecosystem where children learn caring and sharing from early years. This creates a circle of learning, care, and responsibility across generations.

Students grow with values and responsibility when elders share wisdom and life experience with them. Community members support each other and that is the model for Society and Nation.

This interconnected system demonstrates:

· Intergenerational bonding

· Mutual support and cooperation

· Community-based living

· Trust and compassion in action

· Education connected with life and society

· A sustainable and harmonious social structure

TFFS meets modern academic benchmarks by combining academic rigor with holistic education, ensuring that students excel in examinations while developing the skills and values needed for life.

Celebrating Bonding Through Special Days and Events

Raksha Bandhan – celebrating care, protection, and human bonding across the school community

Friendship Day – promoting unity, empathy, and strong peer relationships

Earth Day – building environmental responsibility and collective awareness

Poila Baisakh – celebrating culture, tradition, and community togetherness

Rabindra Jayanti – fostering appreciation for art, literature, and cultural heritage

Other observances that strengthen unity, respect, and collective celebration 

Impact on Students

· Develop respect for all members of the community

· Learn empathy and gratitude

· Build strong interpersonal relationships

· Appreciate cultural diversity and traditions

· Grow into responsible and compassionate individuals

NUTRITION PROGRAM

At The Future Foundation School, we embrace the concept of Integral Health, inspired by Sri Aurobindo’s philosophy of holistic development. With a special focus on the physical or “vital” aspect, we ensure that every child grows in strength, energy, and well-being.

Our nutrition programme is designed to promote balanced and wholesome eating habits. Carefully curated cafeteria menus provide nourishing meals that support growth, stamina, and overall health.

In alignment with CISCE’s initiative to promote awareness regarding the harmful effects of excessive sugar consumption among the school students, The Future Foundation School, Kolkata has undertaken a comprehensive sensitisation campaign. The circular from CISCE has also been discussed with all our stakeholders, viz. children, teachers and parents and we have already begun doing the needful to ensure that our children lead healthier, sweeter, ‘sugarless’ lives.

Outcome and Impact

The campaign successfully engaged students in understanding the hidden dangers of sugar consumption and encouraged them to adopt healthier eating habits. Teachers and parents have also reported a visible change in students’ choices and greater awareness during lunch breaks.

We are conscious that this is a continuous process and we will need to emphasise this throughout the year. We believe such initiatives play a pivotal role in shaping lifelong habits and are proud to contribute to the Council’s vision of holistic health and wellness in education. 

Green Day Celebration in Honour of Sri Nabarun De 🌿

Honoring green initiatives and a visionary leader

✨Making the world more sustainable✨
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In collaboration with NEWS ( Nature Environment & Wildlife Society) the Earth Lovers Club conducted a very informative and enriching workshop on biodiversity, focussing on the importance of forests, tiger reserves and sustaining ecosystems, on January 17, 2025.

ENRICHING & INTERACTIVE WORKSHOP on Conservation Of Natural Resources & Responsible Waste Management organised by the EARTH LOVERS’ CLUB in collaboration with Nature, Environment & Wildlife Society for members from Classes VI – VIII, on November 22, 2024

🌍🌱 The Earth Lovers Club hosted an insightful and interactive session on October 4, 2024, led by Debaaditya Mukhopadhyay, a PhD scholar from ICFRE-RFRI. The session focused on ENVIRONMENTAL & ECOLOGICAL responsibilities, touching on critical issues such as global warming, maintaining ecological balance, and the alarming rate of temperature increases due to human activity. 🌡️💡

The engaging discussion fostered awareness and sensitivity among the young audience, encouraging them to take active responsibility for our planet’s future.

The right greens for a wholesome diet!
🌿🥒🥬🥑🥦🥒🍏🥬
Mrs. Ruth Chattopadyay of ‘ Paushtik Life’ gave a wonderfully insightful presentation to the members of the Earth Lovers Club on August 16, 2024, on the benefits of consuming greens and the versatile uses of seasonal vegetables. Organised by the club, this session successfully fulfilled it’s aim of making the students understand the benefits of a diet rich in green leafy vegetables.

Connecting with Wildlife!
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On August 30, the Earth Lovers Club organized a captivating storytelling session on wildlife, for Class VI students, at Aumorto. Led by Ms. Papri Chowdhury, the interactive session sparked the interest of the members, in nature and wildlife conservation, which was evinced by the subsequent sapling plantation drive at the sports complex in Uttarbhag.

Sustainable Practices For A Greener Earth
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The interactive workshop, BALCONY GARDENING, organised by Earth Lovers Club, held on Aug 23rd, in collaboration with Ms. Ruth Chattopadhyay of Paushtik Life, provided members with practical insights into effective gardening techniques for small spaces.

On 27th July 2024, La Martiniere for Girls School hosted a felicitation program organized by SHER, celebrating the efforts of various institutions and individuals dedicated to environmental conservation. The event recognized the contributions of 25 schools, including our own Earth Lovers Club of the Future Foundation school, for their commendable work in promoting environmental awareness and sustainability.

Our school was represented by two teachers who attended the program on behalf of the Earth Lovers Club. The event also honored notable individuals who have made significant contributions to the protection of the Sundarbans’ tigers, underscoring the critical need for ongoing conservation efforts in this vital ecosystem.

The program served as a platform to acknowledge and encourage the ongoing efforts of students and educators in the field of environmental protection. The Earth Lovers Club’s dedication to environmental issues was recognized as part of a broader effort to foster a culture of sustainability and environmental responsibility among the youth.

The event was a testament to the collective commitment of educational institutions and conservationists in safeguarding our natural heritage. The felicitation not only celebrated past achievements but also inspired continued action and dedication towards environmental preservation.

The Future Foundation School has recently conducted an educational tour to Ushagram Trust, Birnagar, Nadia District with the Students of Class 6, led by their French teacher Anirban Das and team.

Ushagram is a daring experiment in line with the initiatives of CISCE Council to develop skill modules on Sustainability and its impact for the middle school.

An important highlight of the excursion was a session conducted by mentor Abhishek Ghosh, PhD who presented an overview of sustainability to the students.

The core highlights of the session were as follows:

✅ Definition of Sustainability and SDG’s laid by the UN

✅ India’s “net zero” plan on sustainability

✅ Three pillars of Sustainability and human needs to extend lifespan

✅ 3 R’s of Sustainability

✅ Brief idea on Climate change, Global warming, Carbon debt, Carbon footprint, Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy

✅ Ushagram as a sustainable village

✅ World Leaders on Sustainability (Bill Gates, David Suzuki, Rabindranath Tagore, Gandhiji, and Sri Aurobindo).

✅ MAJOR HIGHLIGHT OF THE SESSION: Rethinking Sri Aurobindo’s Symbol as a model of sustainable growth in the present and future.

Ode to Mother Earth ✨
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The EARTH LOVERS’ CLUB observed Earth Day ( April 22 ) with reverence and in full grandeur.
Beginning with an inspiring Sanskrit Sloka recitation by Rakesh Sir , the celebration took on a new meaning when Suchandra Ma’am and Rajalakshmi Ma’am watered plants, thereby reminding us of our sacred duty to mother earth. After Madhumita Ma’am’s warm address to the audience, the stage was taken over by students delivering a powerful message through a motivating dance performance and thereafter, a skit mentored by Saswati Ma’am which put across the perils of plastic pollution and the need to embrace sustainable alternatives. The event drew to a close with a spirited Western dance performance. The event was very ably anchored by the member, Shourjyadeep Patra. The day concluded with the warm gesture of offering hand crafted greetings cards adorned with leaves , in eco- friendly paper bags, to Principal Sir and Suchandra Ma’am. The celebrations stood out as a sacred vow to honour, protect and cherish our only home, mother earth.

TFFS students from Class XII, Imon Sinha , Shameeparna Chakraborty and Aurojyoti Pal participated in a workshop on Empowering Change Through Sustainable Solutions For Energy And The Environment on April 11, 2025, in St. Xavier’s Collegiate School, engaging in lectures and standing 5th in the concluding Quiz 🌞
The workshop was both enjoyable and enriching, turning out to be a wonderful learning experience for the participants.

A Visit to Swami Vivekananda’s Ancestral Home And Museum – An Enriching Experience

On the 18th of April, 2025, the History students of Class XII, accompanied by Abyay Sir, were taken on a heritage tour to Swami Vivekananda’s ancestral home and museum by the HALO Heritage Organisation to celebrate World Heritage Day.

There they watched a video on Swami Vivekananda’s childhood and early life. This was followed by a brief light and sound presentation. In the 3D theatre room they watched a documentary on his famous speech at the World’s Parliament of Religions at Chicago in 1893. They also watched another video on his religious and spiritual journey across India.

Thereafter they visited the rooms where his family tree and the photographs from the different phases of his life were showcased. Some of the rooms contained articles used by him. They also saw some statues of him and his family members.

Then they met the members of the organisation and some eminent personalities who have been working on restoring the lost heritage of Kolkata and Bengal.

The students gathered a lot of knowledge about Swamiji as well as the importance of preserving heritage. It has been indeed a great exposure and an enriching learning experience for them beyond the walls of the classroom which helped them to relate in a better way.

A Visit to Swami Vivekananda’s Ancestral Home And Museum – An Enriching Experience

On the 18th of April, 2025, the History students of Class XII, accompanied by Abyay Sir, were taken on a heritage tour to Swami Vivekananda’s ancestral home and museum by the HALO Heritage Organisation to celebrate World Heritage Day.

There they watched a video on Swami Vivekananda’s childhood and early life. This was followed by a brief light and sound presentation. In the 3D theatre room they watched a documentary on his famous speech at the World’s Parliament of Religions at Chicago in 1893. They also watched another video on his religious and spiritual journey across India.

Thereafter they visited the rooms where his family tree and the photographs from the different phases of his life were showcased. Some of the rooms contained articles used by him. They also saw some statues of him and his family members.

Then they met the members of the organisation and some eminent personalities who have been working on restoring the lost heritage of Kolkata and Bengal.

The students gathered a lot of knowledge about Swamiji as well as the importance of preserving heritage. It has been indeed a great exposure and an enriching learning experience for them beyond the walls of the classroom which helped them to relate in a better way.

An oath to go ‘plastic-free’ & charting newer territories in waste management ✨

On 24th March 2025, Earth Lovers’ Club members participated in a solid waste management drive at Aumorto. The programme started with a PPT presentation by Mrs. Krishnakoli Mukherjee, introducing the topic and guiding the senior residents of Aumorto towards a more sustainable lifestyle. Students performed a skit, urging the residents to ban the use of plastic and make Aumorto, a plastic free zone. Students also presented beautiful crafts made of recycled products under the guidance of senior residents. The programme concluded with a “The plastic free oath” taken by all.

Sustainability & Community Service at Aurokul ✨

In a heartwarming step towards bridging both the digital and nutritional gap, the Interact Club of The Future Foundation School has launched a Computer Literacy Programme alongside mid-day meals at Aurokul—our non-formal education initiative for rural children.

The initiative goes beyond traditional learning. While volunteers from the Interact Club continue to offer basic literacy, numeracy, and life skills, the addition of computer classes has brought a new spark to the classroom. For many children, it was their first experience with a laptop—and their joy was contagious! From typing their names to drawing with digital tools, each click is a step toward a more empowered future.

Equally impactful is the introduction of nutritious mid-day meals, boosting not only health but also classroom attendance and focus.

This integrated approach—combining education, technology, and nourishment—reflects the Interact Club’s ongoing commitment to holistic development and sustainable community service.