Hult Prize RU team launches mission bluepulse for river communities

As part of its 2025–26 campus programme, the Hult Prize at Rajshahi University and its student organising team have launched Mission BluePulse, an environmental and community awareness initiative under Project Pothchinhno.

The initiative is rooted in the belief that meaningful social impact begins with understanding lived realities, placing youth-led action at the centre of environmental responsibility.

That commitment led the team to the banks of the Padma River in Rajshahi, where water shapes livelihoods and everyday life. While the river sustains riverside communities, access to clean and safe water remains uncertain for many who live closest to it. Mission BluePulse was conceived to respond to this challenge through community engagement and awareness building.

Implemented under the Hult Prize framework, the initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to clean water and sanitation, and the protection of life below water. Members of the organising team engaged directly with riverside communities, where the Padma is inseparable from survival.

Rather than focusing on abstract policy discussions, the project prioritised direct interaction. Organisers spoke with residents to understand daily water use practices and the health risks associated with limited access to safe alternatives. These conversations revealed gaps not only in infrastructure but also in awareness of practical methods for maintaining water safety.

In response, the team conducted targeted awareness activities, distributing informational leaflets highlighting water protection and safe water practices. The materials focused on everyday habits such as water collection, storage, and usage, demonstrating how small, informed changes can reduce health risks.

A documentary produced as part of Mission BluePulse documents these engagements, portraying the Padma River as both sustaining and vulnerable. The film serves as a visual record and a reflection on the relationship between communities and the water they depend upon.

At its core, Mission BluePulse delivers a simple message: clean water saves lives, and protecting rivers safeguards the future. The initiative underscores that environmental sustainability is closely linked to public health and social well-being.

While the project does not claim to offer comprehensive solutions, its contribution lies in awareness, empathy, and community engagement—essential foundations for long-term change. By connecting global sustainability goals with local action, the Hult Prize at Rajshahi University highlights the potential of student-led initiatives to generate meaningful grassroots impact.