Students from Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Anantapur campus, participated in the national-level presentation competition titled Climate Stories – Voices for a Sustainable Future – 2025; organized by NIT Jamshedpur, to commemorate the International Day of Clean Air. The event invited students from schools, colleges, universities, and PhD programs across India to share compelling narratives about climate change. The competition aimed to transform scientific facts into emotional stories that inspire awareness and proactive action toward sustainability, with a panel of climate experts serving as judges.
Six students from the institute submitted a video synopsis and a written abstract, addressing various themes related to climate change and sustainability. The students submitted their entries in both English and Hindi, allowing the narratives to reach a broader audience and showcasing their ability to communicate effectively in both languages. The participants were:
- Rhythm Katholia (II B.A. Economics Hons.)
- U Dhanusri (II B.Com Hons.)
- Rushita Shankar Vedula (II B.S. Biosciences Hons.)
- Lohitha Prabhakaran (II B.S. Computer Science Hons.)
- Amulya Thota (III B.S. Food and Nutritional Sciences)
- Gourika Sharma (III B.Com)
The event was conducted in two stages: the first round involved submission of a video synopsis and a short write-up explaining the intended story, while the final round required participants to present their complete stories to a distinguished jury. Out of 150 entries, 8 students were shortlisted for the final round to be held on 7th September, 2025.
Vedula Rushita Shankar, one of the students of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (Anantapur Campus), secured the Second Position bagging a cash award of Rs. 10,000 in the competition.
Rushita’s story focused on the wisdom of grandparents and its relevance to today’s climate challenges. It follows a young girl reflecting on lessons about nature, respect for ecosystems, and sustainable living. A pivotal moment in the story depicts the death of a bird due to sudden weather changes, symbolizing the fragility of ecosystems under climate stress. The story concludes with a message emphasizing awareness, responsibility, and action for a sustainable future.
This achievement demonstrates how storytelling can serve as a powerful medium to raise awareness about climate change.
