2 hrs ago
CISCE Chief Calls for More Beautiful, Sustainable Cities
City leaders and educators discussed how to make cities cleaner, safer, and better for the future.
Joseph Emmanuel said cities would look better without unwanted posters and tangled wires.
He also said roads need pavements and proper drainage.
Without maintenance, roads and other projects can quickly be damaged.
Other speakers said sustainability should be part of everyday life, not just something taught in school.
They also said eco-friendly choices should be affordable and easy for people to use.
The discussion took place after deadly flash floods in Nepal, which showed the dangers of ignoring environmental concerns.
Speakers said children should learn sustainability through empathy, curiosity, and critical thinking.
CISCE chief Joseph Emmanuel linked urban beauty to environmental sustainability and civic infrastructure.
He recommended removing unwanted posters, placing overhead cables underground, and improving drainage alongside road construction.
Emmanuel said poor maintenance, missing pavements, and inadequate drainage repeatedly damage city infrastructure.
Speakers said sustainability must become part of adults’ daily lives and that sustainable choices should be affordable and accessible.
The discussion highlighted empathy, curiosity, and critical thinking as important for helping children understand sustainability.
- Who
- Joseph Emmanuel, Sharmila Bose, Saugata Banerjee, and Dinesh Victor spoke during the discussion.
- What
- They discussed ways to connect urban beauty, civic infrastructure, education, and sustainability.
- Where
- When
- September 2, during admissiontree.in Conversations 2026.
- Why
- The discussion aimed to encourage practical sustainability and address environmental and infrastructure concerns.
Key facts
- Event
- admissiontree.in Conversations 2026
- Theme
- Sustainability Reimagined
- Main speaker
- Joseph Emmanuel, chief executive and secretary of the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations
- Suggested city improvements
- Remove unwanted posters, put overhead cables underground, and improve pavements and drainage
- Audience
- More than 200 principals and heads of institutions
- Sustainability principle
- Meet present needs without compromising future choices, resources, and opportunities
- Context
- The discussion followed flash floods in Nepal, with a minute’s silence observed for those who died
Quotes
Joseph Emmanuel
Chief executive and secretary of the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations
“We build good roads, but often fail to provide pavements and proper drainage. Every season, what we build is damaged because of poor maintenance. If these issues are addressed, 50 per cent of a city’s beauty can be restored. Sustainability cannot remain confined to textbooks; it has to be practised, and that is what is missing.”
telegraphindia.com
“As school leaders, we need to understand what it is about children that they can take these things seriously. Empathy is important... when children have empathy, they will look at sustainability from different angles. Curiosity and critical thinking have to be encouraged among children.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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