ASEZ held the “ASEZ Green Concert for a Plastic-Free India” across Hyderabad, Telangana, India, from February 23 to March 1, 2026, creating a platform for environmental action to address plastic pollution. The event combined performances, campaigns, partnership discussions, supporting signature, and a declaration of action, bringing together people from all walks of life to recognize the importance of environmental protection and strengthen their commitment to taking action.
The concert featured a variety of programs, including traditional performances from India and Korea, ensemble singing, orchestral performances, and an introduction to the “Zero Plastic 2040” campaign along with video screenings. Depending on the event schedule, partnership agreements, supporting signatures, and declaration ceremonies were also held. Diverse performances such as “Right Now Right Here,” “La La Land,” “Love is an Open Door,” “Merry Go Round of Life,” “You Raise Me Up,” and “Vande Mataram” delivered both cultural inspiration and a message for a plastic-free future, receiving enthusiastic responses from the audience.
On February 23, approximately 1,500 people attended the main hall concert held at Shilpakala Vedika in Hyderabad. Around 40 VIPs were also present, including former Member of Parliament T. Subbarami Reddy; State Legislative Council Member Sri Teenmar Mallanna; Chief Commissioner of Income Tax Murali Mohan; and Managing Director of Hyderabad Integrated MSW Limited Manoj Agarwal. At the venue, four of these VIPs participated in signing their support for the “Zero Plastic 2040” initiative, and ASEZ joined hands in cooperation with Hyderabad Integrated MSW Limited, a global waste management company operating in 12 countries.
Manoj Agarwal, Managing Director of Hyderabad Integrated MSW Limited, remarked, “It was a very informative and intellectually enriching event. I did not expect such outstanding performances. The message of the concert was very clear, effectively conveying the important global task of reducing plastic.” He added, “Such initiatives by ASEZ are commendable and deserve respect,” expressing hope that more university students would join in reducing plastic use worldwide. Usha Rani, former advisor to the Telangana state government, also commented, “Events like this can greatly raise public awareness and will benefit both urban and rural areas,” expressing expectations for the program’s expansion. S. Shekhar, Circle Inspector of the Telangana Police, likewise expressed strong support for ASEZ’s activities, resonating with the fact that university students are actively demonstrating the practices needed in society. The attendees were deeply impressed by the quality of the program and its powerful message delivery, and some expressed their hope to see similar concerts held in their own regions.
This momentum continued into the university community. On February 25, a concert was held at Tagore Hall of Osmania University, a prestigious public university in Hyderabad, with around 850 students in attendance. At Osmania University, which has approximately 300,000 students including those in its affiliated colleges, seven university officials—including the current and former Vice-Chancellors—attended the event. On this occasion, ASEZ received a certificate of appreciation, reaffirming its commitment to continued cooperation. The university expressed great interest in the event, which conveyed the value of the environment through cultural expression alongside students, and praised ASEZ’s activities as “Super Amazing.”
On February 26, a concert was held at the Kukatpally District Court along with a “Zero Plastic 2040” declaration ceremony, expanding environmental action into the legal community. About 300 lawyers participated in the event, and representatives and members of the Bar Association jointly read the lawyers’ declaration, strengthening their commitment to environmental protection as a public responsibility. At the venue, 246 supporting signatures were collected from lawyers, two plaques of appreciation were awarded, and a ceremony was held to install five plastic separation bins within the court building. Additional activities—including an ASEZ tumbler donation ceremony, commemorative photo session, and joint slogan chanting—further reinforced the meaning of the declaration.
The declaration announced that day recognized that the climate crisis and plastic pollution threaten public health, environmental rights, and the sustainability of future generations. It emphasized environmental protection as a constitutional value and a responsibility to serve the public good. Key action plans included establishing plastic waste separation systems within government buildings, applying eco-friendly principles in public events and professional duties, and expanding sustainable environmental practices through solidarity with local communities and future generations. The declaration was also significant in that it concretized efforts to build a resource circulation system within the court and promote the use of reusable containers.
On the same day, another concert was held at the Telangana State Secretariat, attended by around 200 people including ministers and senior government officials. This event marked the first time an external organization hosted a performance and forum at the Secretariat. A total of 63 supporting signatures were collected from high-ranking officials, and two plaques of appreciation were awarded. Notably, Minister for Transport and Welfare of Vulnerable Sections Ponnam Prabhakar attended in person to support youth-led environmental action. Sharing his own efforts to reduce plastic use, he stated, “I was very impressed to see ASEZ carrying out activities with the same purpose,” and added, “I will continue to support your activities and participate in your programs.” He further expressed his commitment, saying, “These efforts must begin now, and I hope they will bring about significant change by 2047.”
On March 1, the concert continued at T-Works within T-Hub, India’s largest government-affiliated startup accelerator. With around 250 attendees, including institutional representatives and executives, ASEZ received a plaque of appreciation and further expanded its connections with key local organizations. The chairman of T-Consultants highly praised ASEZ’s “Zero Plastic 2040” initiative and extended warm hospitality to the visiting Korean representatives by preparing a plaque of appreciation, special gifts, and a meal. Through this, ASEZ broadened its engagement with major local institutions and laid the groundwork for future cooperation.
This series of events in Hyderabad, India, demonstrated how programs that combine culture and environmental messaging can resonate across diverse sectors, leading that shared understanding to translate into supporting signatures, declarations, and partnerships. Bringing together universities, the legal community, public institutions, and industry, the events showed that ASEZ’s environmental efforts are meaningfully connected with local society, while also expanding solidarity for a plastic-free future. Building on this momentum, continued collaboration between ASEZ and various local institutions in India is expected, further advancing a university student-led environmental movement in partnership with multiple sectors of society.
