Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala University Union has embarked on a green initiative to celebrate the 75th birthday celebrations of the mother university of Kerala. To plant 75 trees each in 75 colleges. The novel idea saw its birth at the All Saints’ College on Friday when the Union, with the support of NSS (National Service Scheme), distributed 75 saplings to the campus, from fruit-bearing trees to herbal ones like neem.
The KU has found an apt name for the idea - ‘Oorma maram.’ ‘’This is in memory of the platinum jubilee celebrations of KU. It is also an effort to make campuses green,’’ KU Union chairman M Harikrishnan said. The first ‘Orma maram’ was planted by Tourism Minister A P Anilkumar at the back of the college campus, near the mango trees.
Students and University officials, including Pro-Vice Chancellor J Prabhash, Syndicate members B S Jyothikumar and Deepak and NSS Coordinator Mohandas joined in to plant saplings. College principal Mary Mettilda said that the college has been taking to green initiatives under its Environment Club activities.
The University Union Chairman, a student of Fatima Mata National College, Kollam, who is one of the people behind the initiative, shared his enthusiasm with the students of the college at the inaugural function. ‘’I thought mine was the most beautiful college in the State. But after coming here, I have changed my opinion; this campus is beautiful,’’ he said, receiving a big applause from the students. He recalled reading a poem by an Adivasi girl where she laments that she is to get married off to a guy who hasn’t planted even a single sapling in his life. ‘’If in future that’s how girls will set criteria, boys would have a hard time winning their hands in marriage,’’ Harikrishnan said.
Minister Anilkumar also found words to appreciate the campus and its greenery. The ‘Orma maram’ is a good initiative which could be one of the best gifts for future generations to remember us, he said.
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