City Kemp News
‘Anantha Vana’ was inaugurated by Union Minister Ananth Kumar on his 57th birthday where 56 different varities of plants of medicinal value were planted at Basavanagudi Government Primary School on September 22.
As per ancient texts our great sages, for the benefit of plants, animals, birds, entire human race and environment, had set up various sacred groves under the name ‘Saraswathi vana’, ‘Lakshmi vana” etc. Trees planted here are sacred plants like Rudraksha, Kadamba, Ashoka, Kaashi Bilwa, Jambu phala along with the support of eminent environmentalist Yellappa Reddy, The Horticulture department, Lalbagh and Adamya Chetana, Gavipuram, Bengaluru.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister Ananth Kumar said “I’ve embarked on an environment mission of ‘One tree per person’ (Green Bengaluru 1:1) to increase the green cover. Meaning, if Bengaluru has 1 crore citizens there has to be 1 crore plants, for the 6 crore citizens of Karnataka, 6 crore plants and for the 125crore citizens of India, 125 crore plants. As I speak, my agenda is to have 20 lakh plant saplings planted every year, which over 5 years would reach 1 crore. This would probably take Bengaluru back to the good old times of 1950, 1960 on weather front. Besides, this will ensure that our next generation doesn’t have to face frightening prospect of having to live in temperature of 40deg C in Bengaluru. As you see, this shall happen only when this movement happens in a massive scale.”
Further, he said “Like all of you, right from my childhood days, I too had many personal dreams and desires. Our ancient texts mention that at the age of 50, you enter the Vanaprastha and at 75 you start living a life like Sanyasi. I would like to make a small change in this notion. Instead of vanaprastha – Janaprastha, meaning staying among people and serving them, instead of going to the forest and living a detached life.”
“On my 57th birthday, I desire to take a vow. I still have 18 years to go before I reach the age of 75yrs. By which time, I will completely dedicate my life to serving the people, without desiring for any higher post or office, keeping my focus will be only to see betterment and empowerment of my city, state and my country.”, he said.
“Under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, joining hands to achieve the two set targets are nearing. Firstly, safeguarding India’s unity and sovereignty and secondly, to remove the economic disparity in India, helping everyone live a comfortable and peaceful livelihood. There’s no doubt these two targets will get achieved under Narendra Modiji”, he added.
Former deputy Chief Minister R Ashoka said “Ananth Kumar has a vision for Bengaluru, just the way the great Kempe Gowda created Bengaluru – Following the diktats of holistic development and empowerment of people. In connection with this, he has brought many positive changes while in office as Union Minister as well as elected representative of Bengaluru south consistuency at the Lok Sabha, living his foot print in every ward and constituency across Bengaluru.”
Former Minister V Sommanna said “Ananth Kumar always had a deep concern for the development of Bengaluru. When late Adi Chunchanagiri Swamiji, Sri Sri Balagangadharanatha Swami embarked on a massive project of planting saplings across Karnataka, Ananth Kumar was the one instrumental in providing the much needed financial support from the centre.”
M V Rajashekaran, fomer Union minister and senior leader of Indian National Congress said “ I’m from Congress, Sri Ananthkumar is from BJP. Party relationship is like yeNne (oil) – shikakai. Yet, I’ve come to congratulate him on his 57th birthday. I appreciate him for the work he is doing. I appreciate him for the personality he is. Illwill between political parties should come down. Doesn’t matter which party a person belongs to. If he/she has done a good job, the same needs to be praised. In 1960, when Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru noticed the manner in which former PM Bharat Ratna Sri Atal Bihari Vajapayee conducted himself, had predicted that Vajapayee would become the PM of India one day.
On his birthday, Ananth Kumar’s idea of sapling plantation is commendable. Bengaluru was once called the Garden city, today it’s become garbage city. We need to get back the Garden city status to Bengaluru again.”
Prof P V Krishna Bhat said “Right from his childhood days, Ananth Kumar was very creative and multi-talented. And he hasn’t changed one bit. While in jail during the days of emergency, he used to write short poems and called ‘Hotanudi’.”
Bharati Vishnuvardhan said “Ananth Kumar is a very close friend of our family. His effort to increase the green cover of Bengaluru is commendable. Using this as an inspiration we at Rotary Club have decided to plant 1,00,000 saplings.”
Others who were present on the occasion were MLAs Ravi Subramanya, M Krishnappa, former Minister B Somashekar , former Mayors Katte Satyanarayan, Shanta Kumari, Dr Vamanacharya and many others..
Birthday with a difference; Union Minister Ananth Kumar plants sacred tree saplings
