Sensitizing the young generation about social issues confronting the society is necessary. Reducing sensitivity of people towards the society has several dimensions. The present education system, disintegration of the join family system and diminishing pressure of social agencies are some of the major reasons.
The sensitivity at the young age should be groomed and promoted. It can yield wonderful results as the young citizens are able to think differently and use the modern technology to make the desired changes in the society. Tejas Pugalia and Drishit Patel are one among such young minds.
Tejas explained his work and mission to The Live Nagpur. His story is being presented in his own words.
Threads4Good is an organization founded by two high school changemakers, Tejas Pugalia and Dhrishit Patel. It promotes sustainability, education and combats the growing problem of textile waste.
Tejas, a 16 year old from Nagpur, came up with this idea when he found out that over 90% of students in rural India do not attend school during the monsoon months. He wanted to solve this problem & came across Dhrishit, another 16 year old from Ahmedabad, who is also passionate about social entrepreneurship.
Together, they identified the problem and came up with Threads4Good – an organization that addresses the intertwined challenges of education, employment, and climate change. By crafting school bags from textile waste, the duo tackle a significant environmental issue. Simultaneously, we empower marginalized groups, including widows and individuals with disabilities, through meaningful employment opportunities. Their holistic strategy promotes environmental sustainability, fosters social inclusion, and drives economic empowerment, aiming for profound impact across India & beyond.
In the remarkably short span of less than a year, Threads4Good has achieved significant milestones by expanding their operations across five cities—Nagpur, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Delhi, and Jaipur. They have made over 300 bags from 800 pieces of clothes, saving upwards of 1.6 lakh litres of water. We have also prevented the emission of 11,000 Kg of CO2, marking a significant stride towards combating climate change and promoting sustainability.
Socially, we’ve also employed 80+ individuals with disabilities, offering them 1.4x the minimum wage (500Rs a day) to stitch bags for this cause. Talking with the co-founder Tejas Pugalia, he said, “We envision Threads4Good growing into a global movement that not only addresses immediate needs but also fosters a culture of sustainability.
My vision for Threads4Good is to transcend boundaries and impact lives on a global scale. Recognizing that the challenges we address are not confined to India alone, we aim to extend our reach to countries grappling with similar issues— Kenya, Colombia, Bangladesh, and Syria—where political turmoil and socioeconomic barriers hinder access to education opportunities. Our goal is to diversify the range of products we offer, moving beyond school bags to include items of daily necessity, like shopping bags.
This expansion is driven by a dual purpose: to meet a broader spectrum of needs and to amplify our impact environmentally. Shopping bags represent a universally used commodity, offering a significant opportunity to further our mission of environmental sustainability while catering to a critical demand.”