70 girls from V.N. Godhani School tied rakhis to 70 trees and pledged to protect and care for them
Surat: Taking the spirit of Raksha Bandhan beyond the traditional bond between brothers and sisters, a unique initiative in Surat sought to build an emotional relationship between children and nature. Seventy girls from V.N. Godhani English School tied rakhis to 70 trees at Dholakia Garden a day before Raksha Bandhan, pledging to protect, nurture and care for them.
The programme was held at 10 am on Thursday. Each student had been assigned a tree in advance. The girls applied sandalwood tilak to their respective trees, performed aarti and then tied rakhis around them, formally taking responsibility for their care. Special rakhis were also prepared according to the size of the trees.
Explaining the idea behind the initiative, Bhaveshbhai Lathiya said that just as a brother traditionally takes a pledge to protect his sister on Raksha Bandhan, the same sentiment was extended to nature this year, with the girls taking a pledge to protect and care for trees.
He said the objective was not only to promote environmental conservation but also to create a deeper emotional and personal bond between children and trees so that the responsibility of protecting them continues over the long term.
School Principal Mrs. Divyaben Gajjar said that planting a tree is only the beginning and that caring for it is equally important. When children become emotionally connected with trees, the sense of responsibility towards their protection naturally becomes stronger.
Initiative Inspired by ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ Campaign
School Chairman Mr. Govindbhai Dholakia said the initiative was inspired by Prime Minister Narendrabhai Modi’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, with the larger objective of promoting greenery and environmental conservation.
He said that along with plantation, the protection and long-term care of trees should also become a movement driven by public participation. The initiative therefore seeks to move beyond planting trees by encouraging children to take responsibility for nurturing them.
‘I Will Tie a Rakhi to My Tree Every Year’
The initiative generated considerable enthusiasm among the schoolgirls. Several students pledged that they would not limit the bond to this year alone but would tie a rakhi to their tree every Raksha Bandhan and continue caring for it throughout the year.
The programme was therefore designed not as a one-day activity, but as the beginning of a long-term emotional relationship between each child and her tree.
Focus Shifts from Plantation to Long-Term Care
Govindkaka has been associated with large-scale tree plantation activities every year. The focus is now being expanded from planting trees to ensuring that they are regularly cared for and protected.
The name ‘Green Lines’ in the Katargam area also reflects Govindkaka’s commitment to greenery. The lane leading to Godhani School has similarly been named ‘Green Lines’, symbolising the same environmental vision.
A Living Example of Environmental Education
The initiative is not only a celebration of Raksha Bandhan but also a practical example of environmental education that seeks to develop love for nature, responsibility and a culture of conservation among children.
By encouraging the girls to regularly visit their trees, care for them and remain connected with them for years, the initiative aims to nurture a long-term culture of tree protection among the next generation.
“Planting a tree is only the beginning; helping it grow and caring for it is the real responsibility.”
By connecting the spirit of Raksha Bandhan with environmental conservation, the initiative delivers a meaningful message of sensitivity, responsibility and a lasting bond with nature.
