Urban Forest’s first birthday was celebrated on September 3 at Indra Nagar (MRTS), Buckingham canal. The event was graced by Hon. Dr. Thamizhachi Thangapandian (Member of Parliament, Chennai South) along with Subashini (Ward councilor).
The event began with Dr. Thamizhachi Thangapandian planting a tree sapling along with MOP Vaishnav students. Followed by Thuvakkam Director addressed the gathering and gave an introduction about the Urban Forest and 75 days of continuous volunteering campaign. In the view of celebrating the first birthday, Dr. Thamizhachi Thangapandian cut a watermelon and delivered her guest speech to the students and other volunteers. As she spoke about her passion towards the environment she quoted Wangari Maathai, “When you plant a seed you plant hope” and continued on to imply the importance of sustainability than mere planting a forest.
She also appreciated Thuvakkam and Hcl Foundation for the initiative. And encouraged young students to become a part in the becoming the sustainable change the nation marches towards. Followed by the event, the volunteers actively participated in the maintenance activity.
Thuvakkam and HCL Foundation in partnering together has initiated to increase the green cover in
Chennai, for the same an Urban Forest in Kasturba Nagar (MRTS), Buckingham canal was planted
on August 2021.
This event was organised as part of the “75 Days of Change” campaign, which we are hosting in par with Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav initiative. In the 75-days of change journey,
Thuvakkam is associated with a lot of volunteers from students to corporate employees, to involve them in the change journey and to imply the significance of volunteering in creating a change.
The campaign began on Aug 26 and will be concluding on Nov 13, there are differing events like plantation drive, maintenance drive, awareness sessions with school and college students, virtual book reading sessions, creative art event and many more.