Art of Giving: A Global Initiative for Peace and Happiness

BHUBANESWAR, India, May 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Art of Giving (AOG) is a life philosophy that inspires millions around the globe to practice kindness, compassion, and community engagement. It was conceptualised and led by Prof. Achyuta Samanta, educationist and social reformer. It has become a civic movement dedicated to fostering peace and happiness through selfless giving. The movement is based on a simple yet powerful truth: that human beings, in their essence, are wired to give. Happiness and peace, which are the most natural human aspirations, often get buried under material pursuits. Art of Giving calls people back to that natural instinct of sharing, helping, and loving without expectation or reward.

The seeds of AOG were sown long before it had a name. Prof. Achyuta Samanta, having grown up in abject poverty and adversity, began practicing the art of giving as early as the age of five—when he himself had little to give. This lifelong commitment to selfless giving transformed into a mission, and on 17th May 2013, he formally launched the philosophy of Art of Giving as a global movement. Since then, 17th May has been celebrated every year as the International Day of Art of Giving, with each year focusing on a specific theme.

Every year, Art of Giving selects a new theme that aligns with contemporary needs and emotional resonances. It started in 2014 with themes around Society, Spirituality, and Humanity. In 2015, the theme was Kompassion: The Garment Bank, which urged people to donate old clothes to those in need.

During the challenging pandemic period of 2020, the theme was AOG Fights Corona, focusing on supporting frontline workers and affected families. In 2021, My Mother My Hero became a deeply emotional campaign where participants wrote letters of gratitude to their mothers. In 2024, the theme Let's AOG broadened the idea of universal participation. And now in 2025, as AOG in its 12th edition compassion, the theme is Neighbour Good â€“ Bringing Good to the Neighbourhood.

This year's theme focuses on taking kindness to the most immediate circle, our neighbours and local community. From 2nd to 16th May, people around the world observed the Fortnight of Happiness, by engaging in small, meaningful gestures—sharing snacks or tea, visiting elderly neighbours, organising apartment meetups, or participating in neighbourhood events. On 17th May, grand celebrations will take place globally.

Art of Giving has grown exponentially in the last decade. Today, the AOG family includes over 2.5 million active members. Additionally, the philosophy now finds representation in over 220 national federations of the FIVB (Fédération Internationale de Volleyball), extending its values through sports and youth movements worldwide.

Though AOG was formally launched in 2013, its values are timeless. Charity, or 'daan,' has always been central to Indian culture. Every major religion—Islam's zakat, Christianity's charity, Buddhism's acts of compassion, Jainism's saving lives and spreading knowledge, Judaism's tzedakah, and Zoroastrianism's call to fight poverty as a moral duty upholds giving as sacred. What Prof. Samanta has done through AOG is to modernise this wisdom, remove religious and geographical filters, and build a global, inclusive, and joyful movement rooted in humanity.

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

Art of Giving: A Global Initiative for Peace and Happiness

SHANGHAI, June 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Nestled along Sanmen Bay in the heart of China's "Golden Coastline," a waste-to-energy plant stands as a beacon of innovation and sustainability. Operated by SUS ENVIRONMENT—the world's largest provider of waste incineration technology and a top three global investor in waste-to-energy projects, this coastal facility has become the county's most unexpected tourist attraction.

Beyond its groundbreaking waste-to-energy technology and solutions, the plant is celebrated for its deep commitment to community engagement.

Cutting-Edge Technology for a Cleaner Future

The facility employs SUS ENVIRONEMNT proprietary high-calorific waste incineration technology, featuring a modular design that adapts to diverse waste. Emissions surpass the stringent EU Emission Standard, while wastewater is fully recycled within the plant. In 2024, these efforts earned it the title of Water-Saving Enterprise of Zhejiang Province.

Architecture in Harmony with Nature

Inspired by the surrounding landscape, the plant's design embodies the philosophy of "Mountains Integrate Waters," blending seamlessly with the coastal scenery. But its harmony with the environment extends beyond aesthetics—the facility also serves as an environmental education hub. Through interactive workshops and community events, it has redefined its role as a guardian of both nature and public awareness.

A Shared Space for Growth

The plant fosters a symbiotic relationship with the local community. Employees regularly engage with residents, sharing insights into sustainable living. By providing communal facilities such as basketball courts, the plant deepens its bond with the local community. "We love spending weekends here—sipping coffee, enjoying the view, and appreciating how the plant coexists with nature," one resident remarked.

For SUS ENVIRONMENT, every project is more than infrastructure—it's a commitment to a greener, more connected world.

About SUS ENVIRONMENT

SUS ENVIRONMENT is the global leading comprehensive environment provider. As of December 2024, SUS ENVIRONMENT has established 11 management centers worldwide, providing environmental and energy services to over 100 million people. It has invested in and constructed 89 waste-to-energy projects (low-carbon Eco-industrial parks), with a daily processing capacity nearly 120,000 tons of municipal solid waste and annual green power generation of approximately 18,000 GWh. Its equipment and technology are applied in 287 waste-to-energy plants across the world, comprising 532 incineration lines, with a daily capacity over 300,000 tons of municipal solid waste.

* Data from the Open Data of AVP Research (Total Design Scale)

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

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