Thursday, August 2, 2012

Sisters to get saplings as Rakhi gift in Punjab - Times of India

Dinesh K Sharma, TNN | Aug 2, 2012, 02.57AM IST

FAZILKA: This Rakshabandhan, sisters in Fazilka district of Punjab will get saplings as gift from their brothers. As part of a novel campaign to spread awareness about environment, a city-based NGO - Graduate Welfare Association of Fazilka (GWAF) - has invited all brothers in the region to take part in this 'green mission'.

According to Navdeep Asija, GWAF secretary, all sisters will get saplings as gifts on Thursday (Rakshabandhan day). A free call centre has been set up for the purpose and people can order saplings free of cost on phone by calling one of the green ambulances (No. 9915184000), he said.

"You need not worry about the saplings, gardener and plantation. We are here to take care of everything. Rickshaws will take saplings to the houses of people who ordered the plants. The men pulling rickshaws are trained green warriors, they will help you plant the trees," said Vikram Ahuja of Zamindara Farm Solutions, which is providing the technical know-how for the campaign.

The men with green ambulances will plant the saplings and take an undertaking from the recipients on protecting them.

Rita Nagpal, a teacher, said it's a unique initiative taken by the GWAF for the protection of trees. "I would love to receive such a memorable gift from my brother on this Rakhi. I will take care of the sapling so as to keep the bond of brother and sister intact for years to come," she said.

Ridhima Chuchra, a student, said people are aware of the need to protect the environment but too busy to plant trees.

Meanwhile, the third Anand Utsav, an annual environment festival organised jointly by GWAF, Punjab forest department and Zamindara Farm Solutions, will start here on Rakshabandhanday. This year the organizers hope to plant 10,000 saplings. The GWAF had planted nearly 4,000 saplings in the past two editions of Anand Utsav.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Sisters-to-get-saplings-as-Rakhi-gift-in-Punjab/articleshow/15320641.cms

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