Mangaluru: Have you ever bunked classes? What did you do? Go to the mall, eat at a restaurant, watch a movie or go for a long drive? While many of us are guilty of this benign (mis)behaviour, three youngsters have done so for a more noble cause.
Ethan (17), Nathan (12) and Arnold (21) bunked classes on this bright, sunny and beautiful Saturday to join hands with Jeeth Milan Roche, an environmental activist to plant saplings in the Nandigudda Hindu Rudra Bhoomi.
Ethan and Nathan are Jeeth’s sons, so we can guess (and rightly so) from where they get their green thumbs. Arnold, however, has always been inclined to nature and has always wanted to do something to support environmental activities.
With a target of planting 1000 saplings in the cemetery, Jeeth, his wife Selma, his brother Sumanth and the three kids began work at 7.30 AM and so far, have planted over 400 saplings sourced from the forest department.
Speaking to Newskarnataka, Jeeth said, “We have a target of planting 1000 saplings. Right now we have planted half of them. By hook or crook, we will try and plant all the saplings.”
Jeeth explained that they are planting 72 varieties of plants – fruit-bearing, flowering, medicinal etc – and that are all local saplings so that they suit the climate.
He added that this is the second phase of his project in the cemetery. “Last year we had planted about 600 saplings in the cemetery. This is the final phase of the project,” he explained.
Asked what was the idea behind today’s venture, Jeeth recalled an incident of a young Swedish girl who bunked classes to raise awareness about climate change. “Even my son came to me and said we’ll bunk classes and plant saplings so, here we are,” he said.
Arnold told Newskarnataka.com that he heard about today’s project from a friend. “I have always been interested in environmental activities. I heard of today’s project from my friend. I wanted to support sir (Jeeth) so I volunteered,” he said.
Although Ethan and Nathan were too shy to comment, their actions today spoke volumes.
The team has been going about its task with great gusto and plans on completing its noble mission by 6 PM.
