ANAVARAN, presented as part of XAVIESTA 5.0 – KAALCHAKRA, is an immersive sustainability investigation and strategy competition that challenges participants to uncover the gap between corporate sustainability claims and ground realities. Teams of four step into the roles of Sustainability Investigators and Corporate Strategists, investigating Vasundhara Data Infrastructure Ltd., a fictional organisation whose green image may not reflect its actual environmental and social impact. Across three challenging rounds, participants will identify greenwashing, investigate hidden contradictions, assess business risks and develop commercially viable sustainability strategies under real-world-inspired crises. From questioning environmental claims to defending strategic decisions before a jury, ANAVARAN tests critical thinking, ESG awareness, analytical ability and the power to build a genuinely sustainable future. ROUND 1 – GREEN OR GREENWASH? Spot the Illusion Teams will receive a collection of fictional ESG claims, advertisements, sustainability statements, corporate announcements and certification claims made by Vasundhara Data Infrastructure Ltd. regarding its proposed Hooghly Data Park in West Bengal. Participants must critically examine each of the 10 claims and classify them into one of three categories: Genuine Sustainability Greenwashing Misleading Communication Each classification must be supported by a short justification explaining what is being promised, whether the claim is verifiable, what important information is missing and whether the communication creates an exaggerated positive impression.
Mode: Online on Unstop.
Format: ESG Claim Classification + Justification Brief.
Case: Vasundhara Data Infrastructure Ltd. – Hooghly Data Park.
Number of Claims: 10.
Submission: Each claim must include its classification and a justification of 3–6 lines.
Qualification: Top 12 Teams advance to Round 2.
Evaluation Criteria: Classification Accuracy – 50% Quality of Justification – 40% Clarity of Expression – 10% ROUND 2 – THE GREENWASH FILES Uncover the Truth The qualifying teams will receive a comprehensive investigation dossier containing public statements, internal technical documents, employment projections, renewable energy plans, community partnership updates and environmental assessments relating to Vasundhara Data Infrastructure Ltd. Teams must investigate the contradictions between the company's public sustainability commitments and its internal operational realities. Participants must identify instances of greenwashing, uncover misleading disclosures, assess environmental and social implications, and evaluate the financial, regulatory and reputational risks arising from these gaps. Teams will present their investigation findings and risk assessment before the jury.
Venue
St. Xavier's University, Kolkata Plot No. III - B/1, Action Area III B Newtown, Kolkata - 700160
Kolkata, India
Mode: Offline.
Timing: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (as specified in the event brochure).
Format: Case Investigation + Jury Findings Presentation.
Case: Detailed investigation of Vasundhara Data Infrastructure Ltd.'s Hooghly Data Park.
Qualification: Top 6 Teams advance to Round 3 (Grand Finale).
Key Areas of Investigation: Water consumption, groundwater stress and water-positive claims. Renewable energy commitments and net-zero targets. Employment claims and actual local job creation. Farmer partnerships and treated wastewater utilisation. Green certifications and environmental compliance. Financial, regulatory, reputational and social risks.
Evaluation Criteria: Completeness of Findings – 30% Quality of Risk Assessment – 30% Systems Thinking – 20% Presentation & Clarity – 20% ROUND 3 – THE REBUILT GREEN LEGACY Shape the Future – Grand Finale The six finalist teams will face individual sustainability crises based on the specific findings they uncovered during Round 2. Each team must step into the role of a Special Recovery Cell appointed by the Board of Vasundhara Data Infrastructure Ltd. Participants must develop a credible and commercially viable sustainability recovery strategy addressing the crisis assigned to their team. The strategy must demonstrate how the organisation can stabilise its current situation, repair stakeholder relationships, rebuild its sustainability framework and establish measurable commitments for the future. Teams must present their strategy before the jury and defend their recommendations through a live presentation and cross-examination.
Mode: Offline – Live Defence, Grand Finale.
Format: Crisis-Driven Strategy Design + Live Presentation & Defence.
Finalists: Top 6 Teams from Round 2.
Preparation: Closed-book, using Round 2 notes saved on the team laptop, the Round 3 pack and the Benchmark Card. Mandatory Strategic Framework –
STABILISE: Address the immediate crisis and minimise operational, financial and reputational damage.
REPAIR: Correct past shortcomings, rebuild stakeholder trust and address existing sustainability gaps.
REBUILD: Design a commercially viable and