Minds and Bins: A Workshop to promote environmental mindfulness and cleanliness

 Students came together for a thought-provoking experience on the peaceful green campus of Dhaka Residential Model College.

The "Minds and Bins" workshop explored how our minds and environment are deeply intertwined. Jointly organised by Remians Nature and Earth Club (RNEC) and the youth-led group Earth's Ants, the event aimed to foster sustainability, cleanliness, and mental well-being among students.

The programme commenced with reciting the Holy Quran, setting a calm and respectful tone. Brigadier General Dr. Mohammad Jaber Hossain, Principal of DRMC, welcomed the attendees with a speech and shared inspiring plans for making the campus eco-friendly and more sustainable. He highlighted 100 handmade clay birdhouses in two old banyan trees to make nature a part of everyday student life. He promised to continue working toward a cleaner, more student-friendly, sustainable campus.

RNEC President T M Sams Tarbiz Akib emphasised the club's mission to spread environmental awareness among students. "We want every student to be aware of their environment and take care of it," he said, thanking the teachers for their continuous support.

A key segment of the workshop focused on noise pollution. Experts from the Department of Environment led an interactive session on how constant loud sounds affect our bodies, minds, and learning abilities. Through two powerful video presentations, they helped the students understand the issue better and discussed what actions we can take to reduce noise pollution around us.

The core part of the workshop was an engaging session on Environmental Psychology and campus cleanliness, led by five young, dynamic speakers from Earth's Ants. They shared the importance of our surrounding environment and how personal behaviour can shape the environment.  With fun interactive games, Earth's Ants taught students how to keep their campus clean.

"Cleanliness is a habit and depends on attitude, social norms, and self-control. With these, we can build a better world around us," said Nuren Tasnim, Chief Operating Officer and General Secretary of Earth's Ants.

Following this statement, Earth's Ants founder and CEO, MD Mirajul Islam, said, "A peaceful and clean environment is essential for a student's mental growth. If you want to change the world, start by changing your mindset."

The workshop also featured a special talk by senior psychologist Rakhi Ganguly from Dhaka Ahsania Mission. She encouraged students to think critically about their surroundings: "A messy environment can disturb our inner peace. Clean surroundings and a calm mind go hand in hand. "

Students then took a quiz based on the day's activity to reinforce their knowledge. Winners received gifts from CliniCall, while all participants were awarded certificates for participation.

The workshop concluded with inspiring words from DRMC alumnus and popular online educator M Mashroor Hossain. To change your surroundings, change your thoughts first. Connecting with the earth is like connecting with your true self," the popular educator said to inspire students.

"Minds and Bins" proved to be more than just a workshop. It was a thought-provoking classroom in nature. It helped students understand that their thoughts, actions, and environment are all deeply connected. For the students of DRMC, it offered a new sense of purpose and hope to build a clean, kind, and mindful campus.