Greensole Foundation Leads the Conversation on Sustainability and Social Impact at Sustenance 2025
Mumbai, 23rd October, 2025: Greensole Foundation, a pioneering social enterprise committed to sustainability and social equity, hosted Sustenance 2025 at Jai Hind College, Mumbai. The annual event brought together policymakers, academicians, corporate leaders, and changemakers to exchange ideas on sustainability, philanthropy, and innovation under the theme “Sustainability & Philanthropy: Building an Equitable Future.”
Founded by athletes Shriyans Bhandari and Ramesh Dhami, Greensole Foundation began with the idea of refurbishing discarded footwear to give it new life. Today, it donates over eight lakh pairs of shoes annually to children across India, while promoting environmental conservation, women’s empowerment, and circular economy initiatives.
The event commenced with an inaugural ceremony led by Chief Guest Shri Suresh Prabhu, along with Mrs Uma Prabhu, Shriyans Bhandari, Ramesh Dhami, Prof Dr Vijay Dabholkar, and members of the Bhasin family. The welcome address was delivered by Ms Vineta Fernandes, Head of CSR, Greensole Foundation, followed by a cultural performance by students of Jai Hind College. In his keynote, Shri Suresh Prabhu highlighted India’s global role in sustainability and the importance of engaging youth in driving social and environmental progress.
Two dynamic panel discussions anchored the day. The first, “Sustainability in Action: Innovations, Communities and Corporate Responsibility,” featured Pallove Raj, CSR Head at eClerx Services Limited; Bipin Joshi, Founder of Jhappi; Ranganath Totha, Head of Partnerships at Fuel-a-Dream; Varsha Gupte, ESG Lead at Worley India; Siddhartha Medhi, Senior Sustainability Manager at Accenture; and Meena Bhasin, Trustee, Bhasin Foundation. The session was moderated by Ms Manali Dhumal, Greensole Foundation. The second panel, “Philanthropy, Policy and Global Partnerships: Driving Collective Change,” brought together Pavan Muttepawar, Project Head at Govardhan Eco Village; Utkarsh Garg, Campaign Manager at PETA India; Yusuf Kabir, Water, Sanitation and Climate Specialist at UNICEF India; and Dr Rakhi Sharma, Head of Psychology Department, Jai Hind College, moderated by Ms Vineta Fernandes.
Speaking about the initiative, Shriyans Bhandari, Co-Founder, Greensole Foundation, said,
“Sustainability is not just about protecting the environment; it’s about creating opportunities and ensuring progress reaches everyone. Sustenance 2025 unites communities, corporates, and young minds to build an equitable tomorrow together.”
The event also marked the launch of Greensole’s new sustainable bins, made from recycled MLP (Multilayer Plastic) waste, utilizing 50 kg of plastic per unit. These bins, measuring 36″ x 24″ x 20″, come with a 6-month warranty on screw fittings and a lifetime waterproofing warranty. Made with sustainability in mind, they not only serve their purpose but also help reduce plastic waste, reinforcing Greensole’s mission of practical sustainability.
A donation drive was also conducted in collaboration with Zilla Parishad Shala, Kumbhar Shiv, where refurbished footwear and school kits were distributed to children. The activity was facilitated by Mr Mohan Patil, Ambassador, Greensole Foundation. Looking ahead, Greensole announced plans to launch new women-led skill centres across Daringbadi (Odisha), Pole (Maharashtra), Faridabad (Haryana), and Kolar (Karnataka) to empower communities through livelihood creation and sustainable innovation.
The event concluded with a networking session and group photograph, reflecting the shared commitment of all participants toward building a greener, more equitable future.