In the quiet town of Ajar, Bandipora, nestled among Kashmir’s tranquil landscapes, lives a young woman who has found beauty in what the world often discards. In a region known for its natural splendor and resilient spirit, Seerat Tariq is adding a new kind of narrative one built on creativity, conscience and a deep love for the Earth.
A B.Sc graduate with a mind for science and a soul for sustainability, Seerat didn’t wait for a grand stage or big resources to make an impact. She began with what was around her bits of plastic, scrap cardboard, broken items that would have otherwise ended up in landfills. With patience, skill and imagination, she gave them a second life transforming them into a stunning ‘Waste to Wonder’ art piece that now stands as a testament to what’s possible when waste is seen not as a problem, but as a possibility.
“People often overlook the potential of the things they throw away,” Seerat shares. “But I’ve learned that with a little effort and a fresh perspective, even waste can speak volumes.”
Her creation isn’t just visually appealing it tells a story, one that resonates with a global message: sustainability starts at home. Every bottle cap reused, every paper scrap repurposed, is a step closer to a cleaner, more conscious world. In a time when environmental degradation feels overwhelming, efforts like Seerat’s remind us that small, consistent actions matter.
But Seerat’s story is not just about waste and art. It’s about responsibility. As a young citizen of a world facing a climate crisis, she firmly believes that her generation has a role to play not just in dreaming about a better future, but in actively building it.
“We are the future, yes—but we are also the present,” she says. “If we don’t act now, there might not be much left to protect tomorrow.”
Her initiative has not gone unnoticed. The Urban Local Body (ULB) of Bandipora has expressed pride in her innovative spirit and eco-conscious mindset. And slowly, her work is inspiring others around her friends, neighbours and fellow youth to look at their surroundings differently. To not just throw things away, but to ask how they might be reused, reimagined, and restored.
Seerat’s journey is a glowing example of what can happen when passion meets purpose, and creativity meets care. It is a reminder that you don’t need to wait for perfect conditions to create change—you just need the will to start.
Let’s take a leaf out of Seerat’s book:
- Look at waste with new eyes.
- Take small steps at home—segregate, recycle, upcycle.
- Share your efforts with others and start a ripple.
- Remember: We are not just inheritors of the Earth, we are its stewards.
Seerat’s hands turned waste into wonder but it’s her heart that turned a simple act into a powerful movement. And if she can do it, so can we.
