Members of Nagpur@2025, Shivkumar Rao and Nimish Sutaria, discuss efforts in waste management, public sanitation, and partnerships to build a cleaner, more citizen-centric city. The organisation they are an integral part of is a citizen-led initiative focused on transforming Nagpur through civic responsibility and community involvement.

Retu Chatterjee and Anoop Nautiyal from Dehradun Citizens Forum discuss their civic group’s efforts to address urban challenges, advocate for sustainable policies, and empower communities. They share insights from the “Mayor Samvad” event, highlighting citizen-driven demands for better waste management, pollution control, and a greener future for Dehradun.

Hemant Chaturvedi, a former Bollywood cinematographer turned documentary photographer, shares his journey of documenting India’s vanishing single-screen cinema theatres. He discusses the cultural significance of these architectural icons and the socio-economic implications of their decline, highlighting the urgency to preserve this fading aspect of urban heritage.

R. Gyaneshwar Singh and H S Dharmendra from Ramsons Kala Pratishtana discuss their efforts to conserve indigenous craft traditions in Karnataka. They share insights into preserving paintings, dolls, and indoor games, and reflect on their decades-long journey of reviving traditional Indian arts through research, workshops, and community engagement.

Vanitha Mohan, entrepreneur and environmental advocate from Coimbatore, shares her journey of leading Siruthuli, an NGO focused on water management and green cover restoration. She discusses the organisation’s impact, including rejuvenating the Noyyal River and restoring over 40 water bodies to create sustainable water reservoirs for the city.

Debashish Bhattacharyya, President of the Calcutta Tram Users Association, discusses his fight to preserve Kolkata’s iconic tram system. As a retired scientist and dedicated advocate, he highlights the trams’ environmental benefits, cultural significance, and their role in reducing traffic congestion amid modern urban challenges.

Dr. Sangeeta Rajgir, Founder of the Bhopal Birds Conservation Society, shares her work on wetland conservation and avian biodiversity, particularly the Sarus crane. She highlights community efforts in bird conservation and how citizen engagement is key to protecting endangered species and preserving Bhopal’s rich avian diversity.

Shama Pawar, founder of The Kishkindha Trust in Anegundi, Hampi, discusses her work in preserving cultural heritage and fostering sustainable creative economies. Through community engagement, she revitalises traditional crafts, empowering local artisans and creating economic opportunities while ensuring the preservation of Anegundi’s rich cultural landscape.

Kailash Pradhan, an architect and activist from Gangtok, shares his vision for sustainable urban development and community-driven change. He discusses his work on the “Bato Khoju” project, aimed at improving the quality of life and environment in the city, and his involvement with the grassroots movement, Manch Sikkim.

Shashidhara K, founder of the HSR Cyclists Group, shares his efforts to promote sustainable mobility in Bangalore. He discusses his work organising over 60 cycle-day events and collaborating with the HSR Citizens Forum to enhance public transit, including the introduction of a feeder loop bus service in HSR Layout.

Dr. Raghavendra R, Programme Coordinator for NSS at Seshadripuram College, and founder of Achievers’ Academy, leads efforts to restore temples and revive lakes in Srirangapatna. With a team of 300 volunteers, he has transformed small-scale initiatives into a powerful community-driven movement focused on cultural and environmental preservation.

Nevish Deepak, Co-founder of We EmbrAce Trust, shares their journey in advocating for human rights, animal rights, and climate justice in Gorakhpur. As a young leader, Nevish inspires local citizens, especially the youth, to combat pollution and environmental degradation, working toward a cleaner, greener future for the city.

Sukhprit Kaur, Founder Trustee of Aranya Outreach Trust in Mysore, discusses her work in promoting environmental awareness through nature walks. Focusing on children and community engagement, she emphasises the importance of viewing natural resources as essential to our survival, inspiring sustainable living and biodiversity conservation.

Dr. Anil Mehta from Jheel Sanrakshan Samiti (JSS) shares insights on the nonprofit’s 30-year journey to conserve Udaipur’s lakes. Focusing on pollution control and sustainable water management, JSS has made significant strides, including playing a part in the creation of the Lakes Conservation Plan and the Lakes Development Authority.

गुमला स्थित नागरिक पहल मिशन बदलाव के सह-संस्थापक जितेश मिंज इस एपिसोड में बता रहे हैं कि कैसे उनका संगठन सामाजिक और आर्थिक रूप से कमजोर समुदायों को जागरूक और सशक्त बना रहा है। नीति और नागरिकों के बीच की दूरी को कम करने के प्रयास में, वे अधिकारों, भागीदारी और स्थानीय समाधान को प्राथमिकता दे रहे हैं।

Chandra Mishra, founder of Beggars Corporation in Varanasi, shares his vision of transforming beggars into entrepreneurs through self-reliance and dignity. Challenging traditional charity models, he highlights the untapped potential of smaller cities and discusses how empowering marginalised communities can cultivate sustainable social change and strengthen citizen-policy relationships.

Nigel Albuquerque, co-founder of the Mangalore Civic Group, discusses the group’s successful advocacy for the establishment of Ward Committees and Area Sabhas in Mangaluru. He shares his journey in promoting citizen participation in local governance and how MCG is building a more inclusive, ground-up approach to urban management.

Prarthi Shah, founder of the Green Bricks Foundation, shares her journey in creating a community-driven initiative focused on environmental awareness and climate education in Vadodara. She discusses how engaging citizens through interactive workshops has nurtured a collective mission to protect the environment and build a sustainable future.

Mital Khetani, founder of Shree Karuna Foundation Trust in Rajkot, shares his journey of providing free on-site veterinary care and animal rescue services for 18 years. He discusses how his hands-on approach has inspired communities and influenced government policies, highlighting the impact of leading by example in animal welfare.

Abhijit Lokre, founder of The Urban Lab, discusses his work in urban planning, focusing on transportation and mobility. He highlights the importance of community involvement, sharing his experiences in Bhuj where citizen engagement played a key role in shaping sustainable transportation solutions for the city.

Shefali Dudhbade, an environmentalist and founder of Swachh Association Nagpur, discusses her efforts in waste management and sustainable living in this episode. She shares her journey in promoting community-driven initiatives, offering practical solutions for household waste treatment and highlighting the role of local authorities in fostering environmental change.

Lokesh Ohri, anthrolpologist and founder of Been There, Doon That (BTDT), discusses how his initiative has brought Dehradun's community closer through heritage walks. He shares how BTDT fosters civic engagement, amplifies local voices, and inspires residents to take an active role in preserving the city's cultural legacy.

Dr. Debashish Sen joins Nāgrika in the debut episode of “Talk in the Town” to discuss the challenges, aspirations, and opportunities for creating sustainable transport solutions in small cities. In the context of our study on ‘Small City Mobility’, he highlights the importance of citizen involvement in shaping mobility strategies.