Bengaluru, (Karnataka), [India], June 13 2025: Meet Manya Harsha, a 14-year-old climate activist, author, and founder of Sunshine Children for Change, whose passion for the planet is inspiring thousands. On this World Environment Day, she made headlines once again with her heartwarming and impactful project – the Grandma’s Green Weave Campaign.
In this exclusive interview, Manya Harsha talks about the journey, purpose, and future of the Grandma’s Green Weave Campaign, a powerful example of youth-led sustainability.
1. What inspired you to start the Grandma’s Green Weave Campaign?
Manya Harsha:
This campaign is a tribute to my grandmother, V. Rudramma. She was a kind and loving person who believed in simple living. On her first death anniversary in November 2023, I wanted to do something meaningful. I used her old sarees to make eco-friendly bags. That’s how Grandma’s Green Weave Campaign started – with love, respect, and a strong desire to reduce plastic pollution.
2. How does the campaign turn old sarees into sustainable bags? Can you briefly explain the process?
Manya Harsha:
It’s simple! We collect old sarees and bedspreads from people living in different apartment complexes across Bengaluru. Volunteers and local tailors then stitch them into strong, reusable bags. We call it “A Saree to Sustain.” These bags are colorful, useful, and completely plastic-free. After stitching, we distribute them to street vendors and small shopkeepers who usually use plastic.
3. What has been the most heartwarming response you’ve received from a street vendor or supporter?
Manya Harsha:
A fruit seller once told me that using these bags made his customers really happy. He said, “I feel proud giving fruits in these beautiful cloth bags instead of plastic ones.” Moments like these remind me why this campaign matters. People are not just using the bags, they are proudly supporting the cause.
4. How many bags have been distributed so far, and what kind of impact have you seen on plastic usage?
Manya Harsha:
So far, we’ve upcycled over 1,400 sarees and 300 bedspreads to make and distribute 19,000+ sustainable bags across Bengaluru. This includes over 2,000 bags distributed on World Environment Day 2025 alone in areas like JP Nagar and Jayanagar. In places where these bags are used, plastic waste has reduced by nearly 30%. It’s a small step, but it’s making a visible difference!
5. Tell us how this initiative honors your grandmother’s memory. Why is that emotional connection important?
Manya Harsha:
My grandmother taught me the value of not wasting anything. She often reused clothes for different purposes. When she passed away, I felt a deep emptiness. But by using her sarees to make these bags, I feel like her memory lives on in a green, helpful way. Grandma’s Green Weave Campaign is not just about sustainability, it’s also about love, gratitude, and keeping her values alive.
6. What challenges have you faced in scaling the campaign, and how can people help?
Manya Harsha:
One challenge is getting enough sarees and funds for tailoring. Since the campaign is mostly self-funded through my award money and savings, it sometimes gets difficult. We also need more volunteers to spread awareness. People can help by donating old sarees, volunteering for awareness drives, or sponsoring bag stitching costs. Every little contribution helps the planet.
7. What’s your vision for Grandma’s Green Weave in the next 2 years?
Manya Harsha:
I want to take Grandma’s Green Weave Campaign to more cities in India. I also want to involve schools, colleges, and resident groups to make it a bigger movement. The idea is to reduce fabric waste, support local tailors, and replace single-use plastic bags with sustainable saree bags everywhere. My dream is a plastic-free India, and I believe it’s possible if we all join hands.
🌟 Why Manya Harsha’s Campaign Matters
The Grandma’s Green Weave Campaign by Manya Harsha is a perfect example of how young minds can bring about real, lasting change. By turning waste into wonder, Manya is not only reducing plastic pollution but also spreading awareness about conscious living.
Her initiative has:
- ✅ Collected over 1,200 discarded sarees
- ✅ Recycled fabric into 19,000+ eco-friendly bags
- ✅ Educated over 20,000 people about sustainable practices
- ✅ Reduced plastic waste by up to 30% in many local markets
- ✅ Encouraged community bonding and youth involvement
💚 Join the Movement
If you want to support Manya Harsha’s Grandma’s Green Weave Campaign, here’s how you can help:
- 📦 Donate old sarees, bedsheets, or fabric
- ✂️ Sponsor a batch of bag stitching
- 🧵 Encourage local tailors to collaborate
- 📢 Share her story to inspire others
- 🌍 Make the switch from plastic to cloth today!
🌿 Final Words
Manya Harsha, through her Grandma’s Green Weave Campaign, is creating ripples of change that are reaching far and wide. Her love for the planet, respect for elders, and creative solution to plastic pollution is inspiring not just Bengaluru, but the whole country.
As she continues to weave stories of hope, care, and sustainability – one saree at a time – her message is loud and clear:
“Let’s build a greener future together, starting with what we already have.”
