Laxminarayan College Celebrates Tree Birthday and Organises Green Plantation Drive
Jharsuguda: In a unique initiative to promote environmental conservation, Laxminarayan College, Jharsuguda celebrated the first anniversary (“Tree Birthday”) of the saplings planted last year and organised a plantation drive amidst the refreshing monsoon showers on Wednesday. The programme was jointly organised by the National Service Scheme (NSS), Youth Red Cross (YRC) of the college, and the Jharsuguda District Swami Vivekananda Lok Sansad at the college hostel campus.
As a symbolic gesture of gratitude towards nature, the trees planted a year ago were ceremonially honoured with incense, sandalwood paste, flowers and vermilion. Raksha Sutras (Rakhis) were tied around the trees, reaffirming the collective pledge to protect and nurture them. The programme also included the planting of new saplings, reinforcing the message that environmental conservation begins with planting and sustaining trees.
Speaking on the occasion, Principal Shri Sumanta Patel emphasized that trees are not merely a source of oxygen but the very foundation of ecological balance and human survival. He urged everyone to take responsibility not only for planting trees but also for ensuring their healthy growth.
Dr. Swarnamayee Purohit, Secretary of the Jharsuguda District Swami Vivekananda Lok Sansad and faculty member of the college, highlighted the importance of developing a harmonious relationship between humanity and nature. Dr. Laldhari Singh, NSS Programme Officer, and Dr. Manish Kumar Dwivedi, Youth Red Cross Counsellor, called upon the youth to actively participate in environmental protection and make green initiatives a people’s movement.
The programme was attended by Prof. Brajesh Kumar Sahu, Dr. Geetarani Dixit, Prof. Tapan Kumar Barik, Western Zone Secretary of Swami Vivekananda Lok Sansad, Minerva Panda, Dr. Dipashikha Sohela, Himanshu Shekhar Mahakud, along with several faculty members, staff and enthusiastic students, who actively participated in the plantation drive.
The programme conveyed a powerful message that planting a tree is only the beginning; protecting and nurturing it is the true commitment to nature. The innovative celebration of “Tree Birthday” during the monsoon created a memorable and inspiring atmosphere, encouraging everyone to become active custodians of the environment.
