Events

Gurugram had all the ingredients to become a solar rooftop city — abundant sun, conducive policy, large building stock, and a progressive mindset. Solar installations had risen sharply among schools, RWAs, hospitals, corporate buildings, industry, and individual homes, with installed capacity having crossed 25 MW. But the real potential was well over 100 MW. This inaugural roundtable brought stakeholders together to plan the transition from early adoption to city-scale solar. Workshop #35 · March 24, 2018 · Inaugural Solar Roundtable

With the goal of making Gurugram a solar city, 25 RWAs attended the Gurugram RWA Solar Meet 2018 at IBIS Hotel, Gurugram. The chief guest was Mr P K Mahapatra, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Haryana, New and Renewable Energy Department. Speakers included representatives from Renew Power, Havells India, Bergen Group, HAREDA, and Wellington RWA. A solar help desk was launched at the Meet by GurgaonFirst to assist RWAs with installation queries, subsidy applications, and vendor selection. Workshop #36 · May 5, 2018 · 25 RWAs · IBIS Hotel, Gurugram · Chief Guest: Addl. CS Haryana

Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) collaborated with Gurgaon First to conduct this workshop on “Launch of Solar Action Plan for Gurugram” at Ibis Hotel, Gurugram. About 20 stakeholders attended. Eminent speakers included Mr Priyavrat Bhati (Programme Director, CSE), Mr Rakesh Kumar (Programme Director, ISA), Ms Vineeta Singh (Superintendent Engineer M&P, DHBVN), and Mr Rameshwar Singh (District Officer, HAREDA). CSE highlighted that despite Gurugram’s solar potential of 200–300 MW and falling costs, progress had stalled. A detailed action plan for residential and RWA solar adoption was launched at the event. Workshop #37 · June 22, 2018 · Ibis Hotel, Gurugram · With CSE

Gurgaon First and MCG organised a half-day “Waste Wise” training workshop at Anya Hotel on November 15, 2018. The objective was to increase citizen awareness on waste issues and solutions. Attended by school children and teachers, MCG sanitation staff, and residents — children received “waste champion” badges on Children’s Day. The training covered segregation at source, composting, dry waste channels, and how citizens can hold MCG accountable. This became one of GurgaonFirst’s most popular repeatable programmes. Workshop #38 · November 15, 2018 · Anya Hotel, Gurugram · Co-organised with MCG

Held on World Environment Day, June 5, 2019 at Hotel Anya, Gurugram — organised jointly with Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). Gurugram had reached 40 MW solar rooftop and the target was 100 MW by 2022. The workshop addressed the most common myths holding residents back from solar adoption. Attended by DHBVN officials, HAREDA officials, NGOs, RWA presidents, solar manufacturers, and EPC players. A myth-busting format with data, real Gurugram installation case studies, and direct Q&A with certified installers. Workshop #39 · June 5, 2019 · Hotel Anya, Gurugram · World Environment Day · With CSE

Gurgaon First partnered with three other organisations to celebrate Senior Citizens Day on August 21, 2019 at DLF Phase II Community Centre. The event spotlighted the physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing of senior citizens, with discussions on innovative ideas and solutions to improve their quality of life. Attended by 45 senior citizens. India’s elderly population (60+) had grown from 5% to over 10–12% of the population, yet policy and infrastructure lagged behind the demographic reality. The event produced recommendations for age-friendly urban design in Gurugram. Workshop #43 · August 21, 2019 · 45 senior citizens · DLF Phase II Community Centre

In an unprecedented move, citizens from across all sections of Gurgaon came together to release a Citizens’ Charter of Demands for the forthcoming Haryana Assembly elections in the Badshahpur and Gurgaon constituencies, calling upon all contesting candidates to commit to resolving 11 critical issues: the Aravallis, health, education, urban planning, water, waste, air pollution, governance, policing, women’s safety, and senior citizens. The Charter, titled “Baaki Chhodo, Gurgaon Ki Bolo!” (Forget the rest, talk about Gurgaon!), was prepared by the Citizens Forum and became one of the most cited pre-election civic documents in the city’s history. Workshop #40 · October 5, 2019 · Pre-election Citizens’ Charter release

Gurugram had shown the highest fatality rates in road accidents in 2018. Pedestrians and two-wheelers were the most vulnerable. Though IRC mandates at least 1.8 m wide footpaths, universally accessible paths free of fixed utilities were rare. Around 50% of people walk or cycle in Gurugram, yet pedestrian infrastructure was severely lacking. This hands-on walk-shop was organised in collaboration with MCG, World Resources Institute India, Raahgiri Foundation, FIA Foundation, and Suburb Magazine to engage citizens on the design of safe and walkable streets. The event covered footpath design, road safety, and how to advocate for pedestrian priority zones. Workshop #41 · November 10, 2019 · Partners: MCG, WRI India, Raahgiri Foundation, FIA Foundation

Gurgaon First and Centre for Science and Environment conducted this solar roundtable for RWAs on November 28, 2019. Participating were prominent RWAs, DLF Ltd, solar companies, DHBVNL, HAREDA, NGOs, and progressive citizens. Solar rooftop in Gurugram had by then reached almost 50 MW, yet the potential was close to 300 MW. The roundtable addressed a critical moment: a shift to a lower subsidy regime and transfer of solar promotion from HAREDA to DHBVNL. The session discussed how to ensure this transition did not reduce residential solar uptake. Workshop #42 · November 28, 2019 · With CSE · 50 MW milestone marked

GurgaonFirst convened a network meeting of NGOs working in schools across Gurugram — sharing curriculum models, sustainability programme designs, and funding opportunities. 18 organisations participated.

In a pioneering step toward strengthening grassroots education, Gurgaon First initiated the formation of a Network of NGO Schools and Skilling Initiatives in Gurgaon. The initiative aims to bring together over 60 charitable education initiatives in the city — including NGO-run schools, community-based learning centres, and skilling institutes — many operating independently with limited reach and resources. The network’s purpose is to create a collaborative ecosystem enabling: knowledge sharing and best practice exchange, joint teacher training, pooling of volunteers and infrastructure, and intra-school events such as sports meets and cultural programmes. A significant step towards building an inclusive civic ecosystem around education in Gurugram. Workshop #44 · April 1, 2025 · NGO School Network founding meet