Pathways School Gurgaon

Pathways School Gurgaon

Mehr Dhawan

Creativity. Sustainability. Youth. Impact.

A young artist, environmental advocate, and researcher inspiring sustainable change through creativity, action, and youth-led environmental initiatives.

I joined Pathways School Gurgaon in nursery, where my love for art and creativity grew alongside my concern for the environment. At age three, I became curious about planting trees, and with my mother’s support, I began planting Lakshmi Taru trees. Over time, I combined art, awareness, and advocacy to pursue environmental conservation.

In 2025, I was selected as an Environmental Research Intern with the Department of Environment, Government of Delhi. I researched urban air pollution, C&D waste, vehicular emissions, environmental governance, and sustainability initiatives. I authored three research-based articles on pollution mitigation and public policy. I also created two Waste-to-Art installations, The Cry Beneath the Surface and The Silent Fire, using art to communicate environmental concerns. transformed environmental waste and research into visual installations and poetry, showing that art can make complex environmental issues more accessible and emotionally engaging.

DUALITY was my solo art and poetry exhibition exploring two parallel realities—one where nature is protected and another where it is polluted and neglected.At age 13, I presented 32 original artworks and poems, welcomed over 1,500 visitors, and inspired 100+ environmental pledges. The exhibition also received extensive media coverage across India and Asia. Art creates an emotional connection. I wanted people not just to understand environmental problems, but to feel personally connected to them.

On International Women’s Day 2026, I was recognized by the Department of Women & Child Development, Government of NCT Delhi, as a Child Prodigy for Art, Literature, and Environmental Advocacy. The recognition highlighted my environmental storytelling, sustainability advocacy, art-based awareness, and youth-led initiatives. I was honored during Nari Utsav, where Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta was the Chief Guest.

In March 2026, I visited the Okhla Landfill and Timarpur-Okhla Waste-to-Energy plant to understand landfill operations, waste-to-energy systems, and biomining-based waste segregation. I studied the environmental and operational challenges of urban waste management, authored a research report, and presented it to the MCD Commissioner. I also presented my artwork Life in 2025, a satirical yet vibrant portrayal of a community surrounded by plastic, highlighting our ability to remain optimistic while confronting environmental challenges.

I founded Swachh Kal to make environmental awareness practical and engaging for young students. I developed a bilingual English-Hindi booklet covering four pillars—Air, Trees & Biodiversity, Waste Management, and Water Conservation—using stories and simple micro-habits. In collaboration with the Directorate of Education, the booklet was featured on its website, reaching 18 lakh+ students across 1,100 government schools, while my sessions directly reached 6,000+ students. I also partnered with CRY to bring environmental education to underserved children in Faridabad, connecting sustainability with child rights, hygiene, and healthy communities, and launched a ₹2 lakh crowdfunding campaign for environmental infrastructure and community initiatives.

Artspoken is a collection of my original artworks and poems documenting my creative journey from childhood to the present, with a focus on environmental responsibility. Through themes of reflection, consumer awareness, and individual responsibility, I use art and poetry to encourage people to think differently about their relationship with the planet. I launched the book at Kunzum Books, Greater Kailash II, New Delhi, and it is available through Amazon, Flipkart, and BlueRose Publication.