Mohali's Senior Green Warriors: Planting Hope and 14,000 Trees for a Sustainable Future
While retired Punjab DIG Inderjit Singh Sidhu's cleanliness crusade in Chandigarh earns national acclaim with a Padma Shri, a quiet yet relentless band of seniors in Mohali is weaving its own green legacy. These dedicated individuals, often seen in white T-shirts and jackets, with hair and beards to match, are spending their golden years nurturing the environment, one sapling at a time.
A Family United by Earth and Harmony
The Eco Plantation Association in Sector 69, Mohali, is more than just a group; it's a family bound by shared environmental concerns and personal harmony. Ramesh Kumar Singh, 70, a retired superintending engineer, expresses collective joy over Sidhu's award, saying, "We are extremely happy. It feels as if one of us has been awarded." This sense of unity stems from diverse backgrounds, with members like Ramesh, who comes from a mixed Sikh-Hindu family, emphasizing that harmony begins at home and extends to their green mission.
Harmesh Singh Matharu, 67, a retired executive engineer, echoes this familial bond, noting how the group recently celebrated his grandson's Lohri in Patiala, packed into two cars. It all started with Hari Ram Shimar, 71, a former assistant general manager, who single-handedly planted 300 saplings from 2017 to 2019. His efforts attracted like-minded volunteers, leading to the association's formal registration in 2021, driven by the urgent need to plant 700 crore trees annually in India.
Daily Dedication and Growing Impact
Every morning, from 8 am to 10.30 am, these dada-dadis and nana-nanis are out in the field, planting new saplings and tending to old ones. Malkiat Singh, 70, the association's president, reports that they have planted 14,000 saplings so far. The group, with 70-80 members on WhatsApp, sees 14-15 daily participants, including regular female involvement led by Baljit Kaur, 69, an insurance agent. Tanvir Singh, 50, a software engineer, injects youthful energy, while Joginder Singh, 80, a retired supervisor and avid athlete, emphasizes the need to speed up greening efforts.
Their headquarters in Sector 69 features a herbal park with 21 herbs, built using waste concrete materials, and a free plant nursery. To boost their work, Ramesh Kumar Singh donated his Hyundai Accent car in 2023, modified with a 500-litre tanker for watering plants. Despite summer watering challenges, recent funding of Rs 3 lakh from the MP Local Area Development fund for a 4,000-litre tanker and contributions for a second-hand tractor worth Rs 3.5 lakh have enhanced their capabilities.
Community Recognition and Broader Inspiration
The group's selfless efforts have garnered praise from Mohali Mayor Amarjit Singh Sidhu, who honored them this Republic Day, stating, "If everyone starts working like them, our city will become cleaner and greener." Environmentalist Om Parkash also commends their work, highlighting Punjab's pollution and declining green cover as reasons why such initiatives are vital statewide.
With no membership fees and contributions made as needed, these seniors exemplify community spirit. Malkiat Singh urges, "Everyone should plant at least one tree for a future that is free of pollution." Their story is a testament to how retired individuals can drive significant environmental change, planting not just trees but hope for a sustainable tomorrow.
