The New Town authorities kicked off Van Mahotsav on Tuesday by inviting four Covid-19 survivors to plant a sapling at an empty plot next to the bus terminus.
“The motive behind this event is to welcome survivors back to society and to send a message to others to not be afraid of them,” said Debashis Sen, chairman cum managing director of Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation (Hidco) and chairman of New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) that organised the event.
“The way plants are getting a new lease of life in monsoon I too got a new lease of life after Covid-19,” said Jaideb Roy, himself a doctor and a resident of New Town’s DA Block. “I pray that none of you fall ill but if you do, don’t lose hope and self-confidence.”
The chosen plot — AH/2/2 belonging to Hidco — is on the Major Arterial Road and was cleared of parthenium and puddles to prepare it for this drive.
After the fall of numerous trees during cyclone Amphan, the authorities have decided to plant 10,000 trees across the township in the month of July and this event was part of that scheme.
“As and when this land is required for construction the trees planted here will be transplanted elsewhere,” said Sen. More trees such as Sal, Sagun, Jarul, Guava and Pomegranate will be planted on this plot.
