Page 53 - Mann Ki Baat, October 2022

Karnataka's Suresh Kumar Preserving Contribution of Tribal Women of Tamil

Environment and Culture Together Nadu in Environmental Protection

The Prime Minister, in his jacaranda, tabebuia, jamun, As the awareness about the “We are presently focusing on
recent ‘Mann ki Baat’, spoke neem, etc., along the railway importance of leading an eco- providing sustainable livelihoods
about the increasing enthusiasm track.” Along with beauty and the friendly life is increasing, people for the rurals, especially for the
for environmental protection in numerous benefits that come from all walks of life are coming tribal women. These women
different parts of the country. He with them, these trees have also
mentioned Suresh Kumar, who become the pride of the residents forward and contributing in are provided knowledge-based
lives in Bengaluru, Karnataka and of Sahakarnagar. one way or the other to make employment. I have developed
for the last 20 years, have been Suresh Kumar is not just environment protection a several eco-secure products and
tirelessly involved in rejuvenating passionate about environment collective movement. One such all these are manufactured by
a forest of Sahkarnagar in the city. protection. He is also working group of people are the tribal these tribal," he says.
Our Doordarshan team to promote the Kannada women residing in the remote
talked to Suresh Kumar to know language and culture. Suresh Sh. Soundararajan added,
more about his initiative. Kumar has built a bus shelter in village of Anaikatti in Tamil Nadu’s “The skill, tenacity, perseverance
“I grew up amidst greenery Sahakarnagar which is adorned Coimbatore district who are and commitment of these tribal
in Devanahalli. When I moved to with posters of great poets and making export-quality terracotta women is amazing. We had an
Bengaluru, I realised it is turning personalities of Karnataka, and tea cups. export order from Qatar for clay
into a concrete jungle. I tried to of Kannada films as well. The Our Doordarshan team cups for which these women
plant trees in Sahakarnagar. But beautifully-decorated shelter interacted with the stakeholders made 10,000 cups. From clay
the residents wanted particular contains information about the of this initiative to know more.
(kind of) trees only, and nobody culture and history of the State. mixing to final packaging, the tribal
even cared to water the saplings Suresh Kumar has also presented S. Poongodi, a woman working women of Anaikatti village have
everyday.” brass plates written in Kannada with the initiative, says “I am taken up the entire responsibility
However, this did not deter to hundreds of people. working in Dayaseva Sadhan. This of manufacturing these clay cups.
Suresh Kumar from following his Suresh Kumar is a unique (making clay cups) has become And they take pride in their work.”
passion to convert the concrete example of how ecology and a source of income for 20 women “I am overwhelmed by the fact
jungle around him into a green culture can grow together and like me. Before this, my husband that our work has got the attention
pasture. “I decided to create a flourish.
green cover across the railway was the only one earning for the of the Prime Minister. The fact that
track. I was able to plant over 2,000 family. Now, I am able to send my he talked about it in ‘Mann ki Baat’
saplings with the cooperation of Scan the QR code to know more children to school.” (fills us with) enthusiasm and
the officials. Today, you can see about Suresh Kumar's passion Sh. Raman Soundararajan, determination to proceed and
well-grown trees of mahogany, for environment protection. a researcher and scientist, has evolve more such projects across
been running this centre for the country,” Sh. Soundararajan
the tribal women since 2012. said.

Bus Shelter at Sahakarnagar

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