For Vishakha, Bhumi was more than just a workplace – it was an ecosystem of changemakers striving for a sustainable future. As part of the Eco-Champs team, she worked on projects that empowered students to become environmental leaders.

Paving Her Own Path: Vishakha Patil’s Journey of Purpose and Passion

Growing up in Pune, Vishakha Patil was never one to simply follow the crowd. She was the child who would always explore the path less taken – sometimes even the ones she was told not to. While her family followed the conventional roadmap of engineering and medicine, Vishakha knew she wanted something different. And so, she embarked on a journey of exploration, one that eventually led her to Bhumi, where she found her true calling.

A Nonconventional Path to Purpose

Vishakha’s initial aspirations were far from ordinary. At different points, she imagined herself as a sports player, a journalist, or anything that defied the conventional career template. However, it was her love for history, travel, and exploration that led her to architecture. The idea of studying spaces, traveling to historic sites, and designing for the future excited her.

She pursued architecture with dedication, immersing herself in the world of design and construction. But as time passed, she realized that something was missing. Sustainability had always been close to her heart, yet her profession seemed detached from the values she truly wanted to uphold. This realization became even stronger when she witnessed a client cutting down four teakwood trees just to install partitions in his home. That moment was an awakening – she knew she had to redirect her career towards something more meaningful.

Discovering Bhumi: A Step Towards Impact

The Eco-Champs program at Bhumi resonated deeply with her values, and in December 2021, she joined the team as an Associate. For Vishakha, Bhumi was more than just a workplace – it was an ecosystem of changemakers striving for a sustainable future. As part of the Eco-Champs team, she worked on projects that empowered students to become environmental leaders. She found herself surrounded by people who shared her passion, and for the first time, she felt a true alignment between her work and her values.

Memorable Experiences and Adventures

Beyond her professional journey, Vishakha is an adventurer at heart. One of her most cherished experiences was a road trip she took while living in Chennai. With just ₹10,000, she and her friends traveled through Ooty, Kodaikanal, and lesser-known hill stations, soaking in the beauty of unexplored landscapes. The spontaneity of the trip, the scenic routes, and the thrill of budget travel made it unforgettable.

When she isn’t working on sustainability initiatives, Vishakha finds joy in reading, hiking, and spending time with friends and family. A book that has had a profound impact on her is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, which reinforced her belief in carving her own path and trusting the journey.

A Childhood Memory That Still Brings Laughter

One of Vishakha’s fondest childhood memories is a mischievous adventure with her younger sister. As a child, she was always full of energy and had promised her friend she would meet her at 4 PM to play. However, when she woke up from her nap and found her mother missing, she decided to take matters into her own hands.

Being a skinny child, she managed to squeeze through a small window grill to get outside. Inspired by her sister’s daring escape, her younger sibling attempted the same – only to get stuck halfway, with her head and one arm outside while the rest of her body remained trapped inside. Vishakha, realizing she couldn’t leave her sister behind, called the neighbors for help. The memory still makes her laugh, though at the time, it earned her a scolding from her mother!

Living Her Purpose

Today, as a former ChangeDriver and Consultant at Bhumi, Vishakha continues to make an impact in the field of sustainability. Her journey from architecture to environmental advocacy is a testament to her courage to follow her heart, even when the path was uncertain.

Her story is one of resilience, exploration, and the unwavering belief that every individual has the power to create change. Through her work, she is not just designing sustainable spaces – she is shaping a greener, more conscious future.

And for those still searching for their purpose, Vishakha has one piece of advice: Trust your journey. Even if it doesn’t make sense at first, every step leads you to where you’re meant to be. #HumansOfBhumi

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