Meet Pune-based environment foot soldier who is walking in solidarity with pandemic hit Indians

Pune-based Sathya Natarajan is an inveterate humanitarian, volunteer and change-maker who has been associated with Oxfam’s annual Trailwalker Challenge for many years. This year’s challenge has a special significance for him because, unlike previous years, this time he will be walking in solidarity with Indians who have not just been marginalised by discrimination and poverty but stricken by a debilitating pandemic.
He says, “The theme, #WalkInMyShoes has struck a chord with me deeply because this is a time when pre-existing social inequities have been deepened by the pandemic and the marginalised communities have suffered even more discrimination than before.This is not a time to just let things be just the way they are. And so I hope, more and more people will walk in solidarity with our fellow citizens.”

This is however not the first time that Sathya has taken the initiative to make a difference. Though a corporate professional, he is a passionate environment foot soldier and has worked with over 60 NGOs and social organisations. He synergises
his skills in people, organisational and relationship management, team building and more to achieve social objectives. Many NGOs have recognised his contribution to various causes.






Excerpts:
What made you take up environmental issues so passionately in the city of Pune?
My passion for environmental causes is driven by simple logic. If we live in a house, we need to take care of it. Even though my own city Pune is one of the most liveable cities in the country, across India, air and water pollution is rampant and our green cover is shrinking. What bothers me is the dwindling citizen-to-tree ratio. In Pune alone, it is hardly 1: 1.3, while on average human beings require a minimum of seven trees. Even when one tree is cut, the loss is ours. Just take the example of the Mutha river that sustains Pune. The Sahyadri mountain ranges from where the river originates are one of the oldest, and Mutha is known to be older than the Ganga. Its geological age can be traced to around 1 lakh years and yet I saw it being heedlessly polluted. When it comes to the environment, we cannot just do spot correction or do things in bits and pieces. And hence I contribute my efforts to every possible initiative be it about protecting hills, enhancing tree cover or cleaning rivers etc. I believe in the idea, "Don't discount the power of one because change starts with you".
Climate change has become even more evident of late. What do you think are some steps we can take in our everyday life to be careful and conscious about the environment?
I have been a part of four flood relief operations and it was devastating to see people’s hard-earned wealth, homes and in some cases, even families swept away in a second in the swirling waters. These visuals aren't something you can find in PowerPoint presentations. These tragedies happen to real people. They are happening now and not just in distant places but all around us. We must do all we can to protect trees and hills by ensuring balanced development. We must segregate waste diligently, lead a toxin-free lifestyle as much as possible thus reducing river pollution due to domestic waste. We must not waste water and cut down on our carbon footprint and embrace healthy habits like walking and cycling. I didn't renew my bike insurance recently and was forced to take a carpool, use public transport or go cycling or walking. Once a good habit is formed, it becomes less of a challenge to adopt an environmentally friendly lifestyle.
You have been associated with the Oxfam Trailwalker challenge for some time, why is it important to you to be part of this challenge?
It is important because I love setting myself goals and also because of the causes that Oxfam stands up for. I want to make sure that the 100 km Trailwalker Challenge becomes the gold standard for walkathons like the Tata Mumbai Marathon is for running. I hope that this walkathon becomes part of people’s aspirational wishlist because not only does this event help people to reach out for fitness goals but to make a difference in the world. It is also a wonderful opportunity to bond with like-minded team members. This walkathon is a reminder that a nation doesn't prosper because of a few people who are rich. When the entire nation stands strong on its feet, it prospers in a balanced way. Bridging Inequality is as important an issue as protecting and saving the environment and in some cases, both are intertwined.
You were a part of ‘The Sahyadri Trailwalkers' physical walk-in Karjat. What do you miss most about that, now that everything has gone virtual?
I am missing my Sahyadri Trailwalker friends. I miss the excitement of preparation walks around the hills of Pune, the night practices at University Road, the physiotherapy volunteers who made our life easier during the walk, and all the checkpoint volunteers standing with enthusiasm even at midnight and greeting us. Even more than that, I miss the joy of seeing more than 160 team members during the walk and the energy that coursed through my veins just at their sight. I miss building new connections and the happiness that one felt while walking along with the scenic villages. There is so much to remember and miss. Now, I am forced to walk within a 14 X 10 bedroom due to the pandemic.
How can we show solidarity in our own way towards the people who are facing discrimination and poverty due to the debilitating pandemic?
Empathy is a definitive human quality and we must empathise with people who are subjected to poverty, not because they were born poor, but because they have been victimised by inequality and the absence of a level playing field. Always imagine yourself in the shoes of someone who has lesser privilege than you. Just take the example of the prevailing digital divide during the pandemic for rural and underserved students. Some have access to digital means for studying and there are those who don't have any. Remember how many daily wage workers lost their livelihoods and lives. I am standing up not just for the cause of ‘bridging inequality" but am committed to doing something about it. Walking for a cause, I feel creates a certain focus so I request everyone to walk in large numbers, encourage friends and loved ones to at least take up the 25 km walk in 10 days if not the 100 km one. This way, you are also helping to raise funds for a cause that will help bridge some amount of inequality. It is also important to have discussions about social issues within our homes.