YFLO Delhi, under the leadership of Chairperson Aaradhana Dalmia, curated a deeply reflective and intellectually enriching session titled What We Were Never Taught, hosted at the evocative Aranyani Pavilion in Sunder Nursery, New Delhi. Organised in exclusive partnership with Aranyani, the session brought together history, ecology, culture, and conversation in a unique experiential format.
The evening featured an insightful dialogue between internationally acclaimed journalist and historian Sathnam Sanghera and Tara Lal, Founder and Creative Director of Aranyani. The session invited members to critically examine the hidden legacies of colonialism and how they continue to shape our everyday lives, culture, economy, and relationship with the natural world.
The event resonated strongly with YFLO Delhi’s commitment to thought leadership, awareness, and meaningful dialogue. The purpose was to encourage critical reflection on history and its lasting impact on contemporary society. The event aimed to:
- Explore the often-unquestioned influence of colonialism on culture, land, economy, and ecology.
- Encourage members to rethink inherited narratives and develop a deeper understanding of history.
- Highlight the intersection of sustainability, ecology, and historical consciousness.
- Create a space for thoughtful dialogue and intellectual engagement among YFLO members.
- Reinforce YFLO’s role as a platform for conversations that go beyond business and into societal impact.
The vision behind the session was to inspire awareness—recognising that understanding history is essential to shaping a more conscious, sustainable, and equitable future. The session seamlessly blended experiential learning with dialogue, allowing members to first engage with the Pavilion’s architecture and ecological philosophy, followed by an immersive conversation linking space, history, and thought.
Key Highlights
- Experiential Engagement with the Aranyani Pavilion
Members explored the Pavilion, a limited-time installation celebrating local ecology, sustainability, and indigenous materials, setting the tone for reflection and conversation.
- Re-examining Colonial Narratives
Sathnam Sanghera offered powerful insights into how colonial histories continue to influence modern institutions, mindsets, and cultural norms—often in ways we fail to recognise.
- Intersection of Ecology, Economy & History
Tara Lal contextualised the Pavilion as a response to colonial extraction and environmental disregard, highlighting the importance of reconnecting with local ecology and sustainable practices.
- Thoughtful & Engaging Dialogue
The conversation encouraged members to question assumptions, reflect on personal experiences, and view history through a more critical and inclusive lens.
- Intimate & Reflective Setting
The natural surroundings of Sunder Nursery and the Pavilion’s design created a calm, contemplative atmosphere that enhanced the depth of discussion.
Impact & Outcome
Around 80+ YFLO Delhi members actively engaged with the speakers, sharing reflections and asking thought-provoking questions. The session sparked meaningful conversations, both during and after the event, highlighting the strong resonance of the topic. The session successfully enhanced understanding of colonial history and its present-day implications.
Also, it fostered strong engagement with interdisciplinary perspectives combining history, culture, and environment. What We Were Never Taught was more than a conversation—it was an invitation to pause, reflect, and re-learn. By revisiting history through the lenses of ecology and lived experience, the session empowered members to recognise how awareness can lead to conscious choices and responsible leadership.