New Delhi, 09 April (H.S.): President Droupadi Murmu emphasized on Thursday that every citizen must grasp the sacred equilibrium of the Panchabhutas—sky, air, fire, water, and earth to safeguard the environment effectively.

During a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, former MP and Green India Challenge founder Joginpalli Santosh Kumar presented his book Vriksha Vedaam 2.0 to the President. This occasion symbolized the confluence of India’s ancient environmental consciousness and modern green movements.

The volume underscores how Vedic-Upanishadic wisdom on ecology remains profoundly relevant, offering viable solutions to contemporary crises. President Murmu described the era as both Amrit Kaal—a golden age of opportunities—and Aapad Kaal—a time of peril.

Humanity, she observed, drifts from nature through greed and overconsumption, forgetting the divine balance of Panchabhutas from which we emerge and to which we return. “We must recognize this profound bond and integrate environmental stewardship into daily life through spiritual intelligence,” she urged.

Citing the book’s dictum, Life flourishes only when the Earth is green, Murmu expressed optimism that Green India Challenge would catalyze nationwide transformation. Over eight years, the initiative has facilitated 19.6 crore tree plantings—an unprecedented feat.

She called upon citizens to embrace their inseparable tie with nature, actively protecting biodiversity and securing a sustainable future for posterity. Notable campaign milestones include Telangana’s reserved forest revival, 20,000 mangroves planted in West Bengal’s Sundarbans, and Koti Vrikshaarchana—a crore-tree worship drive.

Among attendees were MPs K.R. Suresh Reddy, Vaddiraju Ravichandra, and B. Parthasarathi Reddy; Joginpalli Santosh Kumar; Igniting Minds’ M. Karunakar Reddy; and Green India Challenge co-founder Sanjeevula Raghavendra.

Launched July 17, 2018, with the motto “Hara Hai To Bhara Hai” (Greenery ensures prosperity), the campaign draws from Telangana’s 2015 Harita Haram program. Originating in Hyderabad, it now spans national and global reach, engaging citizens, industrialists, politicians, and celebrities.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar