A Journey of Change - Prasanth

Prashanth, a young chap from Chennai, was always drawn to environmental and social causes. His journey took a significant turn in 2016, when he first encountered the Agathiee community through Vanagam and Mr. Bharathi during a gathering at the Nammazhvar memorial in Karur.

He recalls, “It was New Year’s time. People from different towns had gathered in Karur, all in memory of Nammazhvar Ayya. That moment shaped something inside me. Later, a group of us came together to revive the Puzhal lake. That’s when I truly got to know Agathiee. At that time, it wasn’t even a registered organization — just a shared spirit of volunteerism.”

Reflecting on the early days, he shared, “We were a handful of young people, collaborating with senior activists. It wasn’t just limited to Tambaram. We were dreaming of direct actions for the environment and society. One such initiative was the ‘Chennai to Karur Nadai Payanam’. The very next year we undertook an expedition on bicycles to promote natural farming, village markets, and ecological awareness. It became more than a ride; it was a life-changing technical trip.”

Prashanth said, “Change isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it’s a quiet walk beside a river, or a small group of people refusing to give up.”

After briefly pursuing a government job, he decided it wasn’t his calling. “I didn’t connect with that path. So I joined Pachaiyappa’s College and completed my B.Com.”

Today, Prashanth is one of the key organizers and co-founder of the Chennai Climate Action Group. He has taken a deep interest in land and soil, working with Saththupu Nilangal (Wet Land).

For Prashanth, Agathiee was more than an organization — it was a launchpad. “Many of us blossomed through Agathiee. Today, each of us has taken different paths, but our roots are there. And for me, Bharathi was the catalyst — without him, I wouldn't have stepped forward.