Chanchal Singha Roy – A Man Who Took Small Steps to Create a Huge Impact!

Everything about Chanchal Singha Roy – A Man Who Took Small Steps to Create a Huge Impact!

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” — Nelson Mandela.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands boast a unique culture where all religions, languages, and ethnic groups live in total peace and harmony, earning it the nickname “Mini India.” The history of these islands dates back to the Ramayana period when Andaman was known as Handuman. Covering an area of 6,408 km², the Andamans are home to 396 schools spread across 36 islands.

With such a rich heritage and history, it is crucial to conserve, preserve, and protect the natives of Andamans, its future generations, environment, biodiversity, culture, and heritage. Who better to undertake this mission than Chanchal Singha Roy, a true son of the soil.

Chanchal was born in the small village of Mathura in South Andaman. His grandfather was a teacher, and his father moved to Andaman to work as a primary school teacher. Growing up in the school premises, Chanchal was deeply influenced by his parents’ love for nature and their sense of responsibility towards its protection. His father engaged with the youth through theater to bring societal change, while his mother worked with women’s groups, promoting financial independence and awareness of their rights.

Living a sustainable life, Chanchal’s childhood was devoid of electricity and running water. They used lanterns and carried water from springs. Sustainability was a way of life, and his father often enlightened them about the local flora and fauna. Community meals and social events, organized by his sisters, fostered leadership qualities in him from a young age.

Chanchal completed his schooling in various government schools in South Andaman. His passion for teaching emerged early as he created new things from waste materials for school projects. He graduated from Kolkata University, completed his B.Ed from Pondicherry University, and pursued an M.Phil in history, focusing on human settlements in the Andaman Islands, and researching the culture and heritage of its residents.

After completing his B.Ed, he joined the Andaman Education Department in 1992, spending the next 30 years teaching science in rural government schools across South, Middle, and North Andaman districts. Influenced by his father’s teaching methods, Chanchal constantly thought outside the box to bring sustainable changes to the community and environment.

Self-motivated, Chanchal learns daily, drawing inspiration from common people, nature, and his surroundings. In his schools, he implemented an observation board for students to document local wildlife, enhancing their observational skills, team-building abilities, and connection to their natural environment.

In 2007, Chanchal launched the voluntary initiative ‘Coastal Green Zone’ to conserve and protect local biodiversity. This region, being extremely fragile and sensitive, faces threats from climate change, temperature rise, and cyclones. Chanchal guides the community on how to mitigate these effects, fostering responsible citizenship among the youth.

Chanchal has participated in various national-level competitions, seminars, and projects like the National Children Science Congress and Wipro Earthian project. In 2007, he received the Air India BOLT (Broad Outlook Learner Teacher) Award, representing the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which included a visit to Nanyang University in Singapore.

He has also received the Wipro Earthian School Award three times with his student team for the Sustainability and Biodiversity based project, showcasing their innovative projects nationally. These projects included mechanisms for checking turtle nesting sites, pulse thresher machines, solar dryers for paddy, soil erosion protection models, and bird feeding and nesting sites. Chanchal’s guidance in implementing these ideas with minimal expenses and local resources has brought significant recognition to his students.

Continuing his mission, Chanchal travels to the remotest parts of North and Middle Andaman, raising awareness through storytelling, movies, play methods, and workshops. He also visits the Sundarbans during summer vacations, developing ideas to minimize threats from natural and man-made disasters and organizing awareness and action-based programs in West Bengal villages.

On September 5, 2016, Chanchal was awarded the National Award by the honorable President of India on Teachers’ Day. However, he humbly states that his greatest reward is seeing the change in the mindset of the younger generation, who now strive to bring change within their families.

Through his voluntary initiative, he has formed groups that spread awareness across various regions. Children create seed banks from traditional plant varieties, which are distributed to women through self-help groups to grow kitchen gardens. During COVID-19, these gardens became essential sources of nutrition. In schools, he develops gardens with medicinal plants, connecting traditional knowledge with practical learning.

Chanchal also documents folk culture, food habits, dances, and stories to preserve this heritage for future generations. He has published children’s books, “My Friend Dugong” and “Aamjum Tales,” and plans to connect children from remote villages by documenting stories from their elders.

Another project, “Do Haath Ek Kitab,” aims to provide books to every child, encouraging a connection with their roots amidst the digital wave. Chanchal visits remote villages, donates books, and promotes storytelling, which brings him immense satisfaction.

In the future, Chanchal plans to initiate a campaign against single-use plastic, traveling across India using public transport to spread awareness about plastic waste and its harmful effects.

His message to the youth is: “Use your energy to serve your country with complete passion and dedication, and share your knowledge with the less privileged. India can change for the better if each one works selflessly for the betterment of all.”

Chanchal credits his success to the support from his family, students, schools, community, and especially the youth who have embraced his ideas and spread them within their communities. Seeing the actual impact and change, he feels his life has been meaningful.

Salute to our silent heroes!

Contact no – Mr Chanchal Singha Roy – +91 94324 82028

Email id – chanchalsingharoy05@gmail.com

Writen

by Mahima Gir Mehra

written for www.nomadlawyer.org

#salamatraho Initiative.