Gul Panag
Renowned Indian actor, producer, and entrepreneur Gul Panag has long been a fervent advocate for sustainable living. Her commitment to a greener future is evident through her entrepreneurial venture, Sunfuel Electric. Co-founded by Gul Panag, Sunfuel Electric is a startup dedicated to providing seamless charging experiences for electric vehicles across India, contributing significantly to the fight against climate change and air pollution.In addition to her pioneering work with Sunfuel Electric, Gul Panag actively participated in India’s inaugural green auction, supporting sustainability and environmentally conscious businesses and startups. Furthermore, her commitment extends to investments in OneGreen.in, Asia’s largest online marketplace for natural, safe, conscious and green products. Her multifaceted engagement in promoting eco-friendly initiatives marks her as a prominent figure championing a cleaner and healthier environment.
Neelima Mishra
Hailing from Odisha, Neelima Mishra is at the forefront of the advocacy for gender-inclusive climate action through her social enterprise, Ceiba Green Solutions. Her life took a pivotal turn during the 2019 Arctic Ocean expedition, where she witnessed the alarming volume of waste even in the planet’s remotest areas. Upon returning to Odisha, she was faced with pervasive and unhygienic waste in her city. This stark reality led to the establishment of Ceiba Green Solutions.By implementing innovative and comprehensive waste management solutions, the company now provides an extensive array of services including waste disposal and management, recycling, composting, waste-to-energy solutions, as well as awareness and training programs. It is also actively helping businesses, government agencies, and communities to reduce their carbon footprints and environmental impacts. Its project at the Accountant General Office in Bhubaneswar has led to the composting of around 60 kgs of canteen waste daily which is then utilised as a fertiliser in the office lawn. In recognition of her leadership in combating climate change, Neelima was honoured with the YII Utkal Samman Award by the Governor of Odisha.Neelima is also an active part of the #GreenHustlers campaign, an initiative by Purpose Climate Lab that aims to integrate the perspectives of eco-entrepreneurs into mainstream discourse and contribute to a diverse and inclusive climate startup landscape in India.
Dia Mirza
Dia Mirza, acclaimed for her roles as an actor, producer, and entrepreneur, stands as a beacon for environmental stewardship and wildlife preservation. Demonstrating unwavering commitment, she has passionately championed biodiversity conservation and tirelessly campaigned against plastic pollution for decades. As a UNEP (UN Environment Programme) Goodwill Ambassador, she amplifies crucial messages on climate action, air and water pollution to global stakeholders. Her ethos extends beyond advocacy to tangible action, evident in her investment in sustainable ventures. A discerning eco-investor, Dia Mirza has invested in four sustainable brands. Beco India which offers organic cleaning agents, Shumee which provides wooden toys for kids, Greendigo which specialises in sustainable baby wear, and Allter which offers plastic-free diapers. Beyond her successful film career spanning over two decades, she stands as a torchbearer for environmental and wildlife conservation in India. Her dedication extends beyond words to her actions, exemplified by her zero-waste wedding and plastic-free celebration of her son Avyaan’s second birthday. At 42, she continues to work ardently, embodying values that she actively instils in her children, aiming to create a greener and more sustainable world for future generations.
Kunjpreet Arora
Hailing from Udaipur, Rajasthan, Kunjpreet Arora, the founder of Angirus India Pvt. Ltd is aligned with the comprehensive approach of the #GreenHustlers campaign, which leverages both online and offline mediums to amplify the voices of eco-entrepreneurs. She has won wide recognition for her valuable efforts to bridge the gap between construction and automation using sustainable technologies. Arora has developed an in-house technology that transforms plastic and industrial waste into bricks, known as ‘Wricks.’ These innovative bricks are 40% stronger, absorb 80% less water, and weigh 30% lighter than conventional clay bricks. Wricks possess the unique feature of not allowing water to pass through them, effectively preventing wall leakage and degradation, thereby ensuring a longer lifespan. Angirus India will soon establish decentralised Wricks plants in additional tier 1 and 2 cities, to create micro-entrepreneurs and generate livelihoods and employment through the local recycling of waste materials.
