Marking the auspicious occasion of #HariyaliTeej festival, youth leaders from across 20 countries, upon completion of tGELF’s two day LIFE 2018 Parmarth Niketan, participated in a massive plantation drive at Veerpur village near Rishikesh.
They planted fruit and medicinal trees and enthusiastically illustrated their commitment to bring the #WASHUP campaign into action. The trees they planted were the same trees that they had pledged with during the conclusion ceremony of #LIFE2018, on the International Youth Day, with the Hon’ble Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawatji.
On the occasion, Pujya Swamiji said, “There can be a plan A and plan B but there isn’t a planet B. There is only one planet and we must protect and preserve that planet. I cannot think of a better way to do that then by bringing our youth leaders and interfaith leaders together as one family serving to green Mother Earth. This is the spirit that is needed today to encourage our inherent oneness, harmony whilst simultaneously cultivating values in the younger generation.”
Chairman of tGELF Shiv Khemkaji and Urvashi Khemkaji were deeply touched by the plantation ceremony and further agreed that all festivals and all occasions should be celebrated by the plantation of trees.
Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati also shared, “When we come together to plant these trees, we are not only planting a cleaner generation but cultivating hope and healing for an ailing planet. With climate change and the water crisis looming as real challenges for our future generation we illustrate that small actions, such as planting and caring for trees, saving water, being conscious of our consumption, choosing to be vegetarian really do make a lasting impact on our planet. This is the message that our youth need to learn that the actions they make impact our world.”
