In a unique initiative that merges environmental awareness with a record-breaking feat, 2232 students and educators of Shiv Nadar Schools set the Guinness World Record title for the most contributions to a handprint painting in one hour on March 14, 2024, at Shiv Nadar School Faridabad.
The event was a vibrant celebration of environmental consciousness. It was flagged off by Gul Panag, who is known for her diverse roles as an actress, model, activist, and entrepreneur working on education, environmental issues, and disaster management – a champion of sustainable living. Over 2,500 participants, including students, educators, and guests, came together to create a breathtaking handprint masterpiece. The official record attempt was closely monitored by the Guinness World Records adjudicator and followed strict rules and documentation procedures. Super-washable, child-safe paints in shades reminiscent of nature – blues and greens echoing water, ocean and sky were chosen, reflecting the colours of Shiv Nadar School.
The #EveryDropCounts pledge, taken by all participants, aligns with Shiv Nadar School’s core principle of Responsibility and UN Sustainable Development Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of Water and Sanitation for all. By creating this giant handprint painting, students visually represented the collective power of individual actions to drive home the message that water is an important resource and needs to be conserved.
The initiative saw the presence of Col. (Retd.) Gopal Karunakaran, CEO, Shiv Nadar School; Ms. Arti Dawar, Deputy CEO, Shiv Nadar School; Ms. Anju Wal, Director Principal, Shiv Nadar School, Faridabad; Ms. Anju Soni, Principal, Shiv Nadar School, Noida; Ms. Monica Sagar, Director Principal, Shiv Nadar School, Gurgaon; Ms. Vandana Marda, Director Brand and Communication, Shiv Nadar School; and Mr. Rishi Nath Official Adjudicator, Guinness World Records.
Congratulating the students, Gul Panag said, “It was a thrill to be part of this event, especially as it was for such a noble cause: water conservation. In my opinion, truly driving change in children happens at an early age. By planting the seed of environmental consciousness early on, we empower every child to become a changemaker. Shiv Nadar School is setting a phenomenal benchmark in this regard. The students will undoubtedly take these valuable lessons home with them. Now, the responsibility falls upon parents to uphold these principles within the community, fostering a movement for environmental responsibility. We can only imagine the positive impact if such values had been instilled in us during our own schooling; perhaps things would have been different.”
“In the near future, half of the world’s population is projected to live in water-stressed areas. To ensure all people have access to water, we need to innovate new ways to help conserve and reuse this precious resource. A better future for India and the world necessitates that we raise children to be sensitive to the environment and our natural resources. Sustainability has always remained one of the key areas of focus at Shiv Nadar School. I believe education serves not only as a tool for personal advancement, but also as a catalyst for societal change. Within every student’s pledge that we took today lies an acknowledgement of the interconnectedness of existence. This pledge goes beyond mere commitment; it signifies an awakening of our shared responsibility as stewards of the Earth,” said, Col. (Retd.) Gopal Karunakaran, CEO, Shiv Nadar School.
