EDUCATION Department of SAIL-Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) organised ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ environmental and cleanliness awareness programme at Bhilai Vidyalay, Sector-2, on Tuesday. Dr Radhakrishnan Nair, popularly known as ‘The Miyawaki Man of India’, and ‘The Green Hero of India’ was Chief Guest on this occasion. It is worth mentioning that Dr Radhakrishnan Nair, who is a businessman and environmental activist from Kerala has created 121 forests in 12 states of India by planting more than 20 Lakh trees across the country. Dr Nair has created a forest for the martyrs of the Pulwama attack with 40,000 trees of 40 varieties planted in 40 days. Shikha Dubey, GM (Education), Sumita Sarkar, Principal (BSP-SSS-10), Vijay Pawar, Principal (Bhilai Vidyalay Sector-2), Ruby Burman Roy from the Education Department, were present on this occasion, along with Sushil Kumar Kamde, Senior Manager (CSR), Ashok Singh, Dy. Manager (Education), teachers, and students in large numbers.

 

Chief Guest Dr Radhakrishnan Nair in his address shared valuable insights about the importance of trees for a healthy environment, love for nature, biodiversity, ecosystem, and protected and endangered animals and birds with the students. Dr Nair also shared his journey till now, on how he created 121 forests with 20 lakh trees in 12 states of India. Presenting his views, he spoke on the Miyawaki Japanese method of growing a pocket forest by planting native trees and shrubs in close proximity, as a means of rapidly restoring native plant species in damaged ecosystems. He urged everyone present to plant at least 2 trees and highlighted the significance and efforts required to make ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative a success. Dr Radhakrishnan Nair also appreciated the initiative taken by BSP towards environmental conservation. At the outset Shikha Dubey, GM (Education), delivered the Welcome address. She gave a brief introduction about Dr R Nair and briefed him about environmental initiatives by BSP schools like Eco Club, tree plantation etc. The programme was compered by Vandana Sonavane, while Vijay Pawar, Principal (Bhilai Vidyalay Sector-2) proposed the Vote of Thanks.