Dear Friends and Colleagues, You are warmly invited to participate in the Regenerate Pondiche...

Dear Friends and Colleagues, You are warmly invited to participate in the Regenerate Pondicherry Conclave (13–18 January 2026) — a design-led, participatory process bringing together local experts, practitioners, students, and stakeholders alongside global regenerative thinkers. We are inviting 10–15 local participants per session to join the dialogue and design sessions, based on your area of interest, work, or lived experience. Venue for all Conclave sessions: Aurodhan Art Gallery 33, Rue François Martin, Kuruchikuppam, Pondicherry Participatory Sessions – RSVP by Session You are welcome to join one or more sessions, depending on your interest and availability. Kindly RSVP session by session here: https://bit.ly/3MW7563 Tuesday | 13 January 9.30 – 10.30 a.m. Inaugural Session Formal opening and welcome by Local Dignitaries 11.00 – 12.30 Setting the Scene: Celebrating Pondicherry Long-term visions for Pondicherry. Local people are invited to share their knowledge and visions. Future visions for food, water, and waste for the region of Pondicherry. Plenary discussion led by Prof. Rob Roggema and Prof. Greg Keeffe 1.30 – 2.00 Behaviour Change from Inside Out – Fire What are our personal drivers contributing to the redevelopment of Pondicherry? Nilima Bhat, Founder, Shakti Leadership Mission, in a fireside chat with Dr. Sasi Kanta Dash, Former Registrar, Pondicherry University on the inner work needed to succeed in their mission. 2.00 – 5.30 Plenary Session: Dreams and Ambitions Identifying locations with landscape potential (20–50 years future): Regional long-term design, exploring the spirituality of long traditions and functionality of modern-time society Exploring urban and rural, social, cultural, and functional conditions Wednesday | 14 January – Waste 9.30 – 10.30 Inspire (2 × 20 min) Keynote: Probir Banerjee, Founder, PondyCAN Keynote: Jayanta Ganguly (Joy), Member, Svarnim Puducherry (Linking regeneration with the Pongal theme of the day) 11.00 – 11.30 Behaviour Change from Inside Out – Air Nilima Bhat with Gayatri Shrikant, Plan Foundation, 11.30 – 12.30 Introduction to group work, expected outcomes, start 1.30 – 5.30 Group Work – Focus on Waste Storytelling: local habits, rituals, skills, heritage, indigenous knowledge Ecocracy: nature and decision-making role Regional design: waste and ecospace Local design: waste and ecotime Suggesting a project for the river Thursday | 15 January – Food / Soil 9.30 – 10.30 Inspire (2 × 20 min) Keynote: Prof. Greg Keeffe, Queen’s University Belfast Keynote: Prof. R. Arun Prasath, UNESCO Chair RCESD, Dept. of Green Energy Technology, Pondicherry University 11.00 – 11.30 Behaviour Change from Inside Out – Earth Nilima Bhat with local expert 11.30 – 12.30 Group Work (start) Storytelling and ecocracy Regional design: food and ecospace Local design: food and ecotime Start working on a project for the river 1.30 – 5.30 Group Work – Focus on Food / Soil Friday | 16 January – Water 9.30 – 10.30 Inspire (2 × 20 min) Keynote: Rob Roggema, Founder, Cittaideale Keynote: Avinash Madhale, Sustainable Urban Development, CEE (Link to Pongal theme of the day) 11.00 – 11.30 Behaviour Change from Inside Out – Water Nilima Bhat with a local expert 11.30 – 12.30 Group work (start) 1.30 – 5.30 Group Work – Focus on Water Storytelling and ecocracy Regional design: water and ecospace Local design: water and ecotime Continuing work on the river project Saturday | 17 January – Space & Realisation 9.30 – 10.00 Behaviour Change from Inside Out – Space Nilima Bhat with Visalakshy Loganathan, Founder, Conscious Spaces Foundation 10.00 – 12.30 Choose one location and collectively design an artistic way of showcasing the regenerative region locally, preferably in or near the river, using simple materials with strong visual impact. 1.30 – 5.30 Start the realisation of the project Sunday | 18 January Opening of the Project Guests leaving A Self-Organising Gathering The Conclave is intentionally designed as a self-organising, participatory event. Participants are encouraged to bring their own lunch boxes If you are present during lunchtime, you are welcome to bring something simple to share Tea and coffee will be arranged ☕ RSVPs are essential to help us plan tea and coffee responsibly. RSVP (Required) Kindly fill in the RSVP Form: https://bit.ly/3MW7563 📌 Programme subject to change based on local conditions. For updates and details: 🌱 www.regeneratepondy.earth Warm regards, Nilima Bhat, Founder, Shakti Leadership Mission, Prof Rob Roggema, Founder, Cittaideale, Visalakshy Loganathan, Founder, Conscious Spaces Foundation; Jayanta Ganguly, Member, Svarnim Puducherry, Lalit Verma, Founder Aurodhan Art Gallery, Dr. Sasi Kanta Dash, Vice President, Divye Foundation, Dr. Avinsah Madhale, Sustainable Urban Development CEE & the whole Regenerate Pondy Conclave Organizing Team [email protected] | 9894445088