SRI SATHYA SAI PREM THARU

An Initiative to adorn Mother Earth with

10 Million Trees

As part of Bhagawan’s Centenary Celebrations  in 2025 

In the last decade, and most particularly the year 2024, the world is reeling under the impact of Climate Change or Global Warming. Humanity is now confronting the impact of having plundered natural resources for many decades. Over the years, we have seen how forests are being cleared for creating new cities, infrastructure and so on, often at the cost of endangering the ecological balance.

Way back in 1993, Bhagawan highlighted the importance of embracing an environment-friendly way of life, as follows:

“Trees play a vital role in helping mankind to receive oxygen from the atmosphere while they absorb carbon dioxide exhaled by human beings. Hence, the ancients favoured the growing of trees to control the atmospheric pollution. But nowadays trees are being cut down indiscriminately and pollution is on the increase. The relationship between man and trees is indicated by Vanaspathi  (herbs) employed in Ayurveda. Man is leading an artificial life today. One should understand that he is not merely the body, but a combination of body, mind and Spirit”.     (Divine Discourse , 6 February 1993) 

As we are poised to celebrate Bhagawan’s Centenary Birthday celebrations in the coming year, Sri Sathya Sai Organisations, India has taken a solemn pledge to plant 10 million (one crore) saplings throughout this blessed country, as a loving gift to Nature, being HIS own vesture, when we celebrate HIS birth centenary in 2025.

This noble endeavour stands as a testament to the vision of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, India which serves selflessly across all states of India. Notably, the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, has recognised the sincerity of this noble mission and mentioned this in his address to the nation.

Across the national capital region, the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, Delhi-NCR, is wholly dedicated to fulfilling this noble endeavour. Around 18,000 trees at various locations across the 10 districts of Delhi-NCR have been planted, with the active participation of approximately 2000 Seva Dals

On December 3rd, 2023, this divine tree plantation drive began with active participation of youth at Sector 150, Noida. Surrounded by picturesque greenery, a heartwarming congregation of Bal Vikas students, school students from Universal School, IILM and Shiv Nadar School - Noida, devotees, Nature enthusiasts and youth came together to make the event a truly divine and electrifying experience. Approximately, 400 people were present and 1400 saplings were planted. District-wise representation across Delhi NCR was a heartening aspect of the plantation, and all were blessed with golden sunshine and a fleeting sprinkling of raindrops at the end of the event, which felt like Bhagawan's loving touch and blessing on all who had assembled. This divine endeavour has evolved tremendously thereafter as more people joined in to make this a ‘green’ revolution!

Across Delhi-NCR, the  surprise element pertains to the incredible enthusiasm of RWAs and Local communities to support the tree planting initiative.

With Bhagawan's blessings, hthe sincere dedication of Samithi and District members is an appreciable aspect that has spearheaded this initiative into a mass movement. We witnessed tremendous enthusiasm for the tree plantation drive across Pakshi Vihar, AWHO Twin Tower, Unitech Habitat in Greater Noida, and more.

In the last few years, the people of Delhi-NCR have been suffering due to hazardous air quality that worsens during winters. By planting more trees across the national capital region, our effort is to work selflessly towards a sustainable planet for future generations on planet earth.

With Bhagawan’s grace, we have been deeply overwhelmed and grateful for the diverse spectrum of reputed institutions that have come forward to support the noble cause, including the Indian Institute of Packaging at Patparganj, Central Armed Police Forces at Maidan Garhi, AIIMS New Delhi, Center for Biotechnology - Faridabad, MCD School at Johanpur, Maharaja Surajmal Institute at JanakPuri and the IIMT College of Management, Greater Noida, among others.

Our journey has only begun and we have miles to go. We feel immensely grateful to Bhagawan for giving us an opportunity to serve humanity and future generations through His divine mission of selfless love which is 'Sri Sathya Sai Prema Tharu'.

With gratitude in our hearts, we pray to Swami to guide us in fulfilling this divine mission across Delhi-NCR with His Grace.

“Trees teach the lesson of sacrifice in that they not only bear fruits while they are alive, but also give away their body to be used as firewood once the life goes out of them. Amongst teachers, a tree is the greatest.” - Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba (Divine Discourse, 29th September 2000)