A focused roundtable mapping a realistic solar adoption roadmap for Gurugram with solar energy stakeholders, DHBVN officials, RWA leaders, and policy advocates. Examined barriers to scale, policy gaps, and what a credible 5-year solar trajectory for the city would look like. Workshop #30 · February 2017
Official book launch of the Gurugram Handbook on Waste Management — Gurugram’s first publication under the Swachh Bharat Mission, developed in collaboration with central and state government. The handbook covered the full solid waste management lifecycle: segregation, collection, processing, and disposal. A reference document for MCG, RWAs, and schools across the district. Workshop #31 · March 2017 · Waste Management Handbook launch
Six accomplished Gurugram women, including Shanti Hiranand, Kalpana Vishwanath and Monica Khanna Gulati, shared their stories of social change at Gurgaon First's International Women's Day celebration at Artemis Hospital.
District Education Officer Neelam Bhandari and leaders from Nasscom Foundation, the Education Alliance and other organisations discussed building stronger frameworks for sustainable education and skilling in India.
About 150 delegates from across a cross-section of RWAs in Gurugram came together for this annual conclave organised by Gurgaon First and MCG. The conclave discussed RWA empowerment and progressive solutions in solar installation, water, and waste management. RWAs represent the “last mile governance” — where government role ends, RWAs begin. The event emphasised connecting RWAs to governance mechanisms to steer colonies towards islands of excellence in security, sustainability, and services. Workshop #32 · October 7, 2017 · 150 delegates · Co-organised with MCG
About 150 delegates from across Gurugram — including NGOs, environmentalists, doctors, RWA officials, urban body officials, officials from Haryana Pollution Control Board, and town planners — came together in this workshop organised by Gurgaon First. Every year with the onset of winters, air pollution reaches abnormal levels. At the time of the workshop, the AQI was consistently over 330 (Very Poor). The workshop addressed PM2.5 sources, GRAP provisions, biomass burning, and citizen advocacy tools, and produced a brief submitted to MCG and GMDA. Workshop #33 · November 9, 2017 · 150 delegates · HSPCB officials participated
About 70 delegates from across a cross-section of waste and citizen experts attended this roundtable at School of Inspired Learning, Sector 44, Gurugram. The objective was to understand the plans and priorities for Gurugram and Faridabad’s integrated waste management project by Ecogreen Energy Pvt Ltd, whose concession agreement had been signed with the Haryana Government in August 2017. The roundtable examined targets, community expectations, and accountability mechanisms for the new waste infrastructure. Workshop #34 · December 21, 2017 · 70 delegates · School of Inspired Learning, Sector 44
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
