Aravallis on Sale. When Ancient Mountains Are Put on the Auction Block

 

They say you never miss the well until it runs dry.
India is about to learn that lesson the hard way.

Let us talk about the Aravalli Hills. Not as a geography chapter you once skimmed in school, but as a living shield that has been standing between us and disaster for two billion years.

And today, that shield is being quietly dismantled.

So What Exactly Are the Aravallis, and Why Should You Care

The Aravallis are older than dinosaurs, older than continents as we know them. Stretching nearly six hundred and ninety two kilometres from Delhi through Haryana, Rajasthan, and down to Gujarat, they are not flashy mountains. They do not scream for attention.

They simply do their job.

For Delhi NCR, they slow dust storms from the Thar Desert, filter polluted air, and help groundwater seep back into the earth. Without them, the capital would already be knee deep in sand and smog.

For Rajasthan, Haryana, and Gujarat, they are water vaults. Rainwater sinks into these ancient rocks and quietly feeds aquifers and rivers like the Chambal, Sabarmati, and Luni.

In short, the Aravallis are the unsung workhorse of India’s climate system. And like all workhorses, they are being pushed until they break.

The Decision That Opened Pandora’s Box

On November 20, 2025, the Supreme Court of India accepted a new definition. Only hills taller than one hundred metres would be officially recognised as Aravalli Hills.

On paper, it sounds harmless. On the ground, it is a loaded gun.

More than ninety percent of the Aravalli range instantly lost legal protection. In Rajasthan alone, out of over twelve thousand mapped hills, barely a thousand still qualify.

It is like saying only tall trees deserve protection while saplings are fair game. Nature, however, does not work in neat boxes. When you pull one brick from the wall, the whole structure weakens.

Once the Gate Is Open, the Horses Bolt

The hills that lost protection sit on rich mineral deposits. Limestone, marble, granite, copper, zinc. You name it.

And mining companies are already lining up.

In Haryana’s Bhiwani and Charkhi Dadri districts, ancient hills have been flattened beyond recognition. Stone crushers are grinding two billion years of geological history into dust. Between nineteen seventy five and twenty nineteen, forest cover in the central Aravallis dropped by more than thirty two percent.

The result is written on the walls and in the air. More dust storms. Falling water tables. Rising respiratory diseases.

As one activist put it bluntly, villagers are left with bare hills, rubble, dust, and disease. The Thar Desert is no longer a distant threat. It is inching closer, grain by grain.

Protests, Petitions, and a System That Pretends Not to Hear

People are not sitting idle.

In December 2025, protests erupted across Gurugram, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Sikar, Alwar, and Delhi. Slogans like “No Aravalli, No Life” filled the streets. Groups such as People for Aravallis, Aravalli Bachao, and Youth4Aravallis are fighting tooth and nail.

Even political leaders raised red flags. Sonia Gandhi called the ruling almost a death warrant for the hills.

And yet, mining continues. Because when profit knocks, the environment is often told to wait outside.

Let Us Not Sugarcoat This

We are cutting the branch we are sitting on.

We are trading clean air for quick money.
We are trading water security for stone and cement.
We are trading long term survival for short term comfort.

The Aravallis survived ice ages and tectonic shifts. What they may not survive is calculated indifference dressed up as development.

We talk about climate action on global stages and quietly dismantle one of our strongest natural defences at home. That is not progress. That is self sabotage.

So Here Is the Question That Refuses to Go Away

Years from now, when dust storms grow stronger and water becomes scarcer, this moment will come back to haunt us.

The only unanswered question is this.

Will we say we did not know, even though the signs were written in stone.
Or will we say we saw it coming and chose to speak up anyway.

Because the Aravallis are still standing.
For now.

And history has not yet closed the book on what we decide to do next.

2025 spoke up about climate. Did we listen? Here is what this year taught us. 👇

2025 did not whisper. It spoke clearly.

Heatwaves pushed systems to their limits. Floods exposed weak infrastructure. Ice kept melting. Food and water security tightened.

But innovation fought back. Communities acted. Solutions emerged.

Here is what we learned. 🌍

🔥 HEATWAVES THAT WOULD NOT QUIT

Record heat became routine. Power grids strained. Communities suffered.

The takeaway? What we called "extreme" is now "expected."

The goalposts moved. We need to move faster.

🌊 WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS

2025's floods were not just weather. They were wake-up calls.

Weak infrastructure crumbled. Inequality got exposed.

Lesson: Nature does not grade on a curve. Fix the weak links now.

🧊 THE SLOW GOODBYE OF ICE

Glaciers kept shrinking. Sea levels kept rising.

Not dramatic. Just persistent.

Like watching paint dry, except the paint is your coastline disappearing.

Slow damage is still damage. ⏰

🌾 FOOD, WATER & THE CLIMATE LINK

Droughts stressed crops. Water got scarce. Supply chains wobbled.

Climate security IS food security.

When the climate shifts, everything shifts. Including dinner.

BUT HERE IS THE GOOD NEWS 💡

For every problem 2025 threw at us, innovation fought back.

And communities? They did not wait for permission to act.

Progress happened. Real progress.

⚡ ENERGY GOT SMARTER

Solar, wind, and batteries did not just grow. They got better, faster, more efficient.

Smart grids cut waste. Renewables became reliable.

We learned to work smarter, not just harder.

🤖 TECH BECAME OUR ALLY

AI predicted weather with remarkable accuracy.

Sensors tracked water in real-time.

Digital twins helped cities build resilience before disasters struck.

Tech is not the villain. It is the toolkit.

🌱 COMMUNITIES TOOK THE WHEEL

Local tree planting. Water conservation. Climate-aware planning.

Change did not wait for global summits.

It started at home. Many hands made light work.

SO WHAT CAN WE DO?

🏠 Individuals: Waste less energy. Choose smarter transport. Consume consciously.

🔧 Engineers: Design for resilience. Optimize everything. Think climate-first.

🌍 Society: Support smart policies. Invest in education. Build with nature.

2025 TAUGHT US THIS:

Hope survives heatwaves. Innovation thrives under pressure. Change does not wait for someday.

It starts NOW.

The clock is ticking. But it has not run out yet.

The Earth gave us the receipt. Time to settle the bill.

When we act collectively and innovate responsibly, the future is ours to shape.

Let 2030 say: "2025 was the year they finally got to work."

What will YOU do differently in 2026?

Reply with your climate action for 2026. Let us build this future together. 🌍

From Forbes Spotlight to Meaningful Impact: Dr. Satyasri Akula’s Story

 

There are moments in life when everything seems to align. When years of hard work, sleepless nights, and quiet determination culminate in something that feels both surreal and deeply earned. For me, the past few weeks have been exactly that.

A Moment of Recognition: Featured in Forbes Magazine

I’m incredibly honored to share that I was recently recognized in Forbes Magazine’s November–December 2025 print edition, where I was included among five individuals making notable contributions across business and technology. To see my name in those pages, a publication I’ve admired for years, felt like a validation of the path I’ve chosen: one that bridges technological expertise with purpose-driven, socially responsible leadership.

My work in enterprise transformation and strategic leadership, particularly in SAP consulting and digital transformation, has been my passion for over a decade. As a Tech Lead at a global technology firm, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with organizations to improve operational efficiency while ensuring that technology initiatives serve long-term business goals, not just quarterly metrics.

But what makes this recognition even more meaningful is that it acknowledges something I hold deeply: the belief that leadership today must go beyond profit margins and performance dashboards. It must be rooted in purpose, ethics, and a genuine commitment to making a difference.

My journey as an Oxford Saïd Business School alumna, my role as an IEEE Climate Change Community Ambassador and IEEE Journal Reviewer, and my position on the board of the World Council of Directors have all been shaped by this belief. Whether it’s sustainability, ethical governance, or championing diversity in executive leadership, I’ve always strived to lead with intention and integrity.

Forbes recognized not just my professional achievements, but the values that drive them. And for that, I am truly grateful.

The Road Less Traveled: From Satyasri Akula to Dr. Satyasri Akula

But if I’m being honest, the Forbes feature isn’t the only milestone I’ve been celebrating. In fact, it pales in comparison to what I achieved just days ago.

On December 17th, 2025, I successfully cleared my Viva Defense and officially earned the title I’ve been working toward for years: Dr. Satyasri Akula.

Let that sink in. Dr. Satyasri Akula.

It’s a title I’ve dreamed of, worked for, and, on more than one occasion, doubted I’d ever achieve. Because here’s the truth they don’t tell you: the journey to a doctorate is not for the faint of heart.

The Research That Defined Me: Taking the Path Others Wouldn’t

My doctoral research focused on “Impact of Adaptive Strategic Management on Organizational Growth Powered by Digital Innovation”. A topic that, from day one, was ambitious, complex, and frankly, intimidating.

I’ll never forget my first meeting with my Research Director. After I presented my proposed topic, there was a pause. One of those weighted silences that makes your heart skip a beat. Then came the question that would echo in my mind for years: “Are you really intending to finish your research within the next three years? Because this topic is very broad in scope.”

The implication was clear: I was biting off more than I could chew. The sensible thing would have been to narrow it down, play it safe, pick something more manageable.

But here’s the thing about me: I’ve always been drawn to the road not taken.

From the very beginning, I’ve had a different mindset. I’ve never been the person who picks the easy path, the well-trodden route, the safe bet. I’m the person who looks at the challenge everyone else is avoiding and thinks, “Why not me?” Call it stubbornness, call it ambition, call it a touch of madness, but I see opportunity where others see obstacles.

Robert Frost said it best: “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I. I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”

So yes, I took on that broad, ambitious, intimidatingly complex topic. And yes, there were moments when I wondered if my Research Director had been right to question it. But I also knew that meaningful research doesn’t come from playing it safe. Innovation doesn’t happen in the comfort zone. And if I was going to invest years of my life into this journey, I wanted it to matter. To push boundaries, challenge assumptions, and contribute something truly valuable to the field.

And I made it happen.

The Reality Behind the Title

People see the title and the accolades, but they don’t see the invisible battles. They don’t see the long nights when your eyes burn from staring at research papers until 3 a.m. They don’t see the early mornings when you drag yourself out of bed, fueled by nothing but coffee and sheer willpower. They don’t see the moments of doubt. The times when you question whether you’re good enough, whether it’s all worth it, whether you should just throw in the towel.

This journey has been a rollercoaster of emotions. Highs that made me feel invincible and lows that made me question everything. It was a test of endurance, a trial by fire, a marathon with no finish line in sight until suddenly, miraculously, you cross it.

There were days when progress felt like trying to move a mountain with a teaspoon. Days when feedback felt like a punch to the gut. Days when I had to dig deep and find reserves of resilience I didn’t know I had.

But through it all, I kept going. Because giving up was never an option.

And now, looking back, I realize that every challenge, every setback, every moment of doubt was shaping me into someone stronger, more determined, more capable than I ever thought possible.

The Pillar of Support: Dr. Pritam, My Academic Guru

But here’s the thing about difficult journeys: you don’t walk them alone.

I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to someone who has been my rock, my guide, my voice of reason when I couldn’t see the forest for the trees. Someone who picked me up every time I stumbled, who celebrated every small victory, and who never let me settle for anything less than my best.

Dr. Pritam  My all-time bestie, my confidant, my academic guru.

From the very first step of this journey to the final moments before my Viva Defense, Pritam has been there. He’s the person I turned to when research felt overwhelming, when writer’s block hit like a brick wall, when I needed someone to remind me why I started in the first place.

He didn’t just help me navigate the academic labyrinth. He walked through it with me. Every milestone I’ve achieved, every success I’ve celebrated, he’s been an integral part of it. Not because he had to be, but because that’s the kind of person he is.

So, Dr. Pritam Bhattacherjee, this one’s for you. Thank you for being my mentor, my cheerleader, my constant companion on this journey. Thank you for every late-night brainstorming session, every pep talk, every moment you believed in me when I struggled to believe in myself. This doctorate? It’s ours.

What This Journey Taught Me

Earning a doctorate isn’t just about mastering a subject or producing original research. It’s about discovering who you are when everything is stripped away. When it’s just you, your work, and your willpower.

It taught me that resilience isn’t about never falling; it’s about getting back up every single time. It taught me that success isn’t a straight line. It’s messy, unpredictable, and often frustrating. But it’s also deeply rewarding.

Most importantly, it taught me the value of purpose. When you’re driven by something bigger than yourself, whether it’s contributing to knowledge, making a difference in your field, or proving to yourself that you can, you find the strength to push through anything.

A Message to All the Future Doctors Out There

If you’re reading this and you’re on your own doctorate journey, or thinking about starting one, here’s what I want you to know:

It’s going to be hard. Really hard. There will be days when you feel like you’re drowning, when imposter syndrome whispers that you don’t belong, when the finish line feels impossibly far away.

But you can do this.

You are capable of more than you realize. You are stronger than you think. And when you finally walk across that stage or hear those words, “Congratulations, Doctor,” every sacrifice, every struggle, every sleepless night will make sense.

Surround yourself with people who believe in you. Those rare souls who will be your anchor when the storm rages, who will remind you of your strength when you’ve forgotten it, who will celebrate your wins and lift you up through your losses. And never, ever underestimate the power of simply showing up, day after day, even when you don’t feel like it. Because consistency, not perfection, is what transforms dreams into reality.

Your journey matters. Your voice matters. And the world needs more people like you. People willing to push boundaries, challenge norms, and pursue knowledge with passion and purpose.

Let’s Hear Your Story

As I close this chapter and begin the next as Dr. Satyasri Akula, I’m reminded that every journey is unique, every struggle is valid, and every victory deserves to be celebrated.

So here’s my ask: I want to hear your journey. Whether you’re in the middle of your doctorate, just starting out, or have already crossed the finish line, share your story. Let your voice be heard. Because somewhere out there, someone needs to hear it. Someone needs to know they’re not alone.

From Forbes recognition to earning my doctorate, this journey has been nothing short of transformative. And I’m just getting started.

Here’s to purpose-driven leadership, to resilience in the face of adversity, and to the beautiful, messy, incredible journey of becoming.

Here’s to all of us. Past, present, and future Doctors. May we never stop learning, growing, and lifting each other up.

With gratitude and determination,

Dr. Satyasri Akula