Keonjhar: While everyone celebrates the auspicious occasion of Prathamastami with their family and near and dear ones by serving cakes, a 90-year-old man celebrates the festival with nature.
He performs pujas and vows to protect trees by tying rakhis on them. He has been doing this noble deed not for one or two, but for 41 years now.
He is Ghanashyam Sahoo, a resident of Alati village under Ghasipura block in Keonjhar district. Sahoo is an environmentalist and nature lover.
On Prathamastami, Sahoo’s day starts with washing the trunks of trees. He then performs rituals and goes on tying rakhis on the trees. Later, he celebrates the day by offering flowers and pithas (cakes) to express his care and love for nature.
Despite facing criticism from the villagers initially, he continued his efforts as part of his love for greenery. He not only cares for trees in his village but also in neighbouring villages.
According to reports, Sahoo’s neighbouring village Puruna Bandhagoda was badly affected by a cyclone April 16, 1978. Around 182 people were killed and the entire village was left without a tree in the calamity. The incident had left an indelible mark on Sahoo’s mind and he vowed to plant trees and to look after them.
He stood firm on his commitment and began his mission to grow plants in his garden. Sahoo started planting saplings grown in the backyard of his house near ponds, roads, open fields, government land, schools and temple premises.
After initial hiccups, the villagers also started supporting him for his good cause. Several organisations have felicitated Ghanashyam as ‘tree man’ for his initiative.
Sahoo has urged everyone to join him in planting trees and making the world a better place.
PNN
