The Timbaktu Collective and Cause to Connect Foundation Honoured with Kirloskar Vasundhara Sanman and Vasundhara Mitra Awards
Pune, 22nd August 2026: The 19th edition of the Kirloskar Vasundhara International Film Festival (KVIFF) concluded today at the Pune International Centre (PIC), Pashan, bringing together environmentalists, conservationists, students, filmmakers and nature enthusiasts for thought-provoking conversations, inspiring stories and collective engagement towards environmental conservation.
The Kirloskar Vasundhara Sanman, which recognises organisations driving large‑scale environmental impact, was awarded to The Timbaktu Collective. The Kirloskar Vasundhara Mitra, which honours individuals, grassroots leaders and community champions who inspire local environmental action, was presented to Cause to Connect for their outstanding conservation work.
The Timbaktu Collective has supported thousands of marginalised families in drought‑hit Anantapuramu by establishing community‑owned cooperatives, alternative banking and organic farming institutions. Cause to Connect’s flagship initiative ‘Hunnar Gurukul’ goes beyond teaching trades, offering hands‑on vocational training in carpentry, masonry and bamboo craft to help young people become responsible individuals who can build better futures.
The festival at Pune International Centre in Pashan began with a dedicated session for students from C.B. Tupe Sadhana Kanya Vidyalay, Loyola High School and St. Joseph High School. It included two environmental film screenings and activity-based learning aimed at fostering environmental awareness among young participants. The session was led by Nidhi Bennur, Co-founder at The Youth Cosmo and her team. The programme aimed to inspire informed, responsible environmental stewards through playful engagement.
Later in the evening, the programme opened to the larger community of people and began with the captivating folk dance performed by the Korku Tribal Community from Melghat, showcasing the deep bond between indigenous communities and nature. The audience was then treated to a series of acclaimed environmental films, including Down the Drain, This Mortal Plastik and Would You Still Love Me If I Was a Sticky Frog?, followed by the feature film Humans in the Loop. The programme also featured a student skit titled Plastic: From Wonder to Monster, alongside immersive experiences such as a Virtual Trash Walk and Virtual Forest Walk, encouraging participants to reflect on their relationship with the environment. Each screening was followed by a brief expert panel discussion on the film’s themes, which was led by Ecological Society.
Arti Kirloskar, Director, SL Kirloskar CSR Foundation, said, “Today’s awardees demonstrate the dedication, innovation and perseverance needed to meet environmental challenges. Their work inspires communities and proves that every effort, big or small, can make a lasting difference. The festival’s student programmes help grow environmental awareness among young people. Through Kirloskar Vasundhara, we stay committed to raising awareness, encouraging dialogue and driving action across society.”
As a build‑up to the main event, a Children’s Art Fest with a nature theme was held for the children of Kirloskar Group employees in the second week of August. This Art Fest was also extended to some of the schools across Pune being supported by the CSR teams from various Group companies. More than 750 children participated in these competitions.
The festival was spread across two days. The first day, 21st August, was held at Kirloskar’s One Avante office in Kothrud exclusively for employees. The programme included screenings of three thought‑provoking short films on biodiversity and sustainability and a performance by Pralay band, which blends music, folk traditions and Sant Kabir’s poetry to raise awareness about climate change and nature. A Nature Photography and video‑making competition for Pune employees also drew an overwhelming response.
Jagdish Purandare, CEO, SL Kirloskar CSR Foundation, said, “This year’s festival reflects the strength of collaboration in advancing environmental awareness. We are grateful for the support of our partners, Ecological Society and The Youth Cosmo, whose efforts helped create an engaging and impactful programme. By honouring environmental champions and creating opportunities for learning and dialogue, KVIFF continues to encourage people from all walks of life to become active stakeholders in protecting our planet.”
An Eco-Bazaar, hosted throughout the day at PIC, drew considerable interest from visitors. The marketplace showcased sustainable products, eco-friendly innovations and community-led initiatives from organisations including The Timbaktu Collective, Sampoorna Bamboo Kendra, Cause to Connect (Hunnar Gurukul), Adi Green, The Youth Cosmo, reCharkha and Witchcraft.
The 19th edition with the theme ‘Brought to You by Earth’ also marked the successful return of the festival in an in-person offline format, reaffirming Kirloskar Vasundhara’s commitment to creating impactful environmental dialogue through films, education, culture and community participation. Since its inception in 2007, the initiative has evolved into one of India’s leading environmental awareness platforms, engaging thousands of citizens and bringing together experts, conservationists and changemakers to inspire positive action for the environment.
