Bengaluru: The conical shaped evergreen tree has become so synonymous with the Christmas festival that everyone refers to it as the ‘Christmas tree’. Over the years, however, people have switched from ever’green’ and more ever’lasting’.
These days Christmas trees come in many sizes- most of them green in colour and almost all made of either cast iron or coated aluminium in combination with plastic or, in many cases, entirely made of plastic. None of these materials are recyclable and when discarded after use, may be a year or two later, they cause incalculable harm to the environment.
However, what I came across today, I consider to be a sheer stroke of genius. I was visiting the library at the catholic club in Bengaluru and found a Christmas ‘tree’ made out of a small selection of their books. Prem Kumar, the librarian said that this has been done for the first time. He said it was the innovative idea of the library member in-charge, Jude Lobo and the managing committee led by Raphael Johnson.
This is not just a Christmas tree that ignites the Christmas spirit, but more than that- a tree of knowledge. When you think about it some more, it also feels like whatever trees were used to make the books has come full circle, with the books taking on its lost form.
At the end of this joyous season, unlike the other plastic etc. abominations we call tress, when this particular tree is dismantled, the parts will go back to their shelves and will continue to live on in the hands of readers, till hopefully, they are called upon once more to take the form of the Christmas tree next year and every year henceforth.