Raj Kumar inspires 5,000 children to do their bit for the environment

Raj Kumar inspires 5,000 children to do their bit for the environment

The Hindu

`The environment is our God. Our love for it should come from within'


BANGALORE: Over 5,000 students from 21 schools and seven colleges in Basavanagudi cheered Kannada matinee idol Raj Kumar when he went to Sajjan Rao Circle in V.V. Puram to support the "Green Basavanagudi" drive by planting a sapling there.

The students came in processions from their schools to convey the message of the importance of greenery through tableaux and `dollu kunitha.' And, when Mr. Raj Kumar spoke about his love for environment, his words received thunderous applause.

Scouts and guides, NCC cadets, and other students, dressed in clean uniforms, gathered around the park at Sajjan Rao Circle to have a glimpse of the veteran actor. Every word he spoke, especially when he called the school principals to receive the saplings, was greeted with drumbeats and blowing of bugles. Passers-by stopped to have a look at a group of students dressed in tribal attire.

The Basavanagudi MLA, K. Chandrashekar, and the corporators representing the six wards in the constituency launched the drive on the occasion of World Environment Day on June 5. As many as 5,000 saplings have been planted in the past month. On Wednesday, Mr. Raj Kumar planted a sapling of pink paper flower (Triplaris surinamensis), the 5001st one. The variety is found only in two places in the city — at KSG nursery, a private nursery owned by Parthasarathy, and Lalbagh. The plant, which can grow up to 30 feet, flowers in July, August or September.

Speaking after planting the sapling, Mr. Raj Kumar said he is fond of agriculture as he is the son of a farmer. Pointing out that teachers should play a vital role in creating awareness about the environment, Mr. Raj Kumar said: "Parisara (environment) is our God. Our love for it should come from within."

His wife, Parvathama Raj Kumar, said old trees have to be felled and new saplings planted next to them. Later, students of various institutions, including Sri Kumaran's, Holy Child, Nivedita, National High School, Mahaveer Jain College, National College, BHS College, BMS Women's College and Vasavi College, distributed saplings of medicinal plants among residents of the area.

Mr. Chandrashekar said each of the schools has been requested to tend to saplings planed on 10 roads.

The former Mayor P.R. Ramesh was present.