By Sarada Lahangir
The rhythmic hum of machines surrounded 31-year-old Satyabrata Samal as he worked as a systems robotic engineer in a bustling startup. But even amidst the precision of circuits and algorithms, his mind often drifted to a different kind of engineering—one that involved repairing the broken relationship between humanity and nature. While his peers spent weekends unwinding, Satyabrata found solace in a distinct pursuit—picking up plastic waste from streets, beaches, and forests, fully aware of its devastating environmental impact.
Born in the quiet village of Pippal, near Paradeep in Odisha’s Jagatsinghpur district, Satyabrata was always drawn to a cause bigger than himself. Though his professional life was thriving, something deep inside urged him to do more for the planet. It was during the COVID-19 pandemic that he made the boldest decision of his life—to leave behind his lucrative career and dedicate himself entirely to climate action. This bold decision would soon transform him into one of India’s most passionate environmental advocates.
Today, Satyabrata is widely known as the ‘Climate Man of Odisha’ for his relentless efforts in environmental conservation. His dedication has inspired thousands of young people across the country to join the movement for a cleaner, greener future.
Early Life and Education
Satyabrata grew up in a humble household, where his father, a retired teacher, instilled in him the values of discipline and education. His academic journey led him to Odisha University of Technical Research (OUTR) Odisha, where he pursued and completed his M.Tech. Like most ambitious youth, he ventured into the corporate world, securing a position as a system robotic engineer in a startup. However, deep within, he harbored a solid passion for contributing to society in a unique and meaningful way.
The Awakening: A Passion for Environmental Action
Even while working in the corporate sector, Satyabrata dedicated his weekends to an unusual yet vital activity—collecting plastic waste. Along with a few like-minded friends, he would travel to different places, picking up plastic waste, fully aware of the havoc it wreaks on the environment. This practice wasn’t just a hobby; it was a calling.
He dedicated his weekends to reading and researching environmental issues, climate change, and sustainable practices. The more he learned, the more he felt the urge to act. The turning point came during the COVID-19 pandemic when he made a life-altering decision—to quit his well-paying job and dedicate himself fully to climate action.
The decision to leave his job was far from easy. His father, a retired teacher, had been the sole breadwinner of the family, and Satyabrata’s income provided much-needed financial relief. If he quit, the family would face financial difficulties. The weight of this responsibility made the decision even harder, but his passion for climate action pushed him forward. He spoke to his father about this. His father was initially hesitant, questioning how his son would sustain himself. But Satyabrata remained steadfast in his vision and convinced his father to allow him one year to make a difference.
Taking the Leap: The Birth of Sattvic Soul Foundation
In 2021, he founded Sattvic Soul Foundation, an NGO dedicated to environmental protection and climate action. The inspiration to establish a formal organization stemmed from repeated encounters during plogging activities, where people often questioned whether they were part of an official movement. “Whenever we went for plogging, whether at government fairs, festivals, or religious places, people asked us if we were from an organization or just a random group of youngsters. It seemed like they didn’t believe in our efforts. That’s when I decided to establish Sattvic Soul Foundation,” Satyabrata recalled.
A Mission That Gained Momentum
Under the banner of Sattvic Soul Foundation, Satyabrata and his team intensified their efforts. Their primary focus was on plogging—a combination of jogging and picking up litter, especially plastic waste. What started with just four passionate individuals soon evolved into a national movement. “Today we have conducted over 700 plastic-free campaigns across India, collecting an average of 100 kilograms of plastic waste per campaign.” Satyabrata informed.
What began as a small initiative among friends is now a massive youth-driven movement. From an initial group of four, the mission now has 1,000 active volunteers on the ground, with a staggering one lakh young individuals from across the country aligning themselves with Satyabrata’s cause.
The scope of activities by the Sattvic Soul Foundation has expanded significantly over time. Today, the organization conducts beach cleaning campaigns, wetland conservation efforts, forest cleanup drives, and urban waste management programmes. They also focus on religious sites, ensuring that places of worship remain clean and free from plastic waste. Their waste collection process is structured and systematic, with proper segregation and coordination with municipal authorities for further processing.
Recognition and collaboration
The impact of Satyabrata’s work has not gone unnoticed. His organization was one of the hosts of LCOY (Local Conference of Youth) 2024, held in Mysuru. This conference played a crucial role in amplifying the voices of young climate activists, ensuring that their concerns and ideas reached global platforms such as COP (Conference of Parties).
Additionally, Satyabrata is actively associated with the UNICEF-led Youth4Water Plus campaign as their brand ambassador, further solidifying his presence in national and international climate action initiatives. He is featured as a Water Hero by WWF India, particularly for his work mobilizing youth to keep plastic out of marine ecosystems.
Challenges Along the Way
The journey, however, has not been without its challenges. “The greatest challenge is lack of awareness, especially in rural areas like the one I come from. People often fail to understand the significance of our work. To them, we are just picking up waste—nothing extraordinary. They don’t realize the long-term impact of plastic pollution on the environment,” he explains.
Another major challenge is sustaining volunteer participation. While enthusiasm is high at the start, keeping volunteers engaged in the long run is difficult, particularly without sustainable funding. As a non-profit organization, financial constraints continue to pose hurdles in expanding its reach and impact.
Despite these challenges, Satyabrata remains optimistic and focused. His dream is to make Odisha a climate action hub, inspiring not just local communities but the entire world. He envisions Odisha becoming a model state for youth-driven climate initiatives.
“I know the challenges are many, but my dream is bigger. I want Odisha to be the center of climate action in India. I want young people from across the world to look up to us and take inspiration from our work,” he affirms.
Satyabrata’s story is a powerful reminder that change begins with a single step. His transformation from an engineer to a passionate environmentalist showcases the power of determination and vision. As climate change continues to threaten our planet, Satyabrata and his Sattvic Soul Foundation prove that real change is possible—one plastic-free campaign at a time. His story calls upon the youth to step forward, take responsibility, and be the change-makers our world desperately needs.
