In a city like Bangalore which is troubled by pollution of all kinds, efforts to save the environment has become increasingly important. Public participation in conserving natural resources and increasing greenery is the need of the hour. Understanding the gravity of the situation, some people are rendering social service aimed at helping others lead a better life. Rajyotsava awardee and chairman of Sapna Book House, Suresh C Shah is one such good samaritan.

Clearing the garbage

Recently Shah cleared garbage that had piled up on a waste land, belonging to the South Western Railways at Kumara Park East, Railway Parallel Road, 2nd Cross and converted it into a park. His efforts and repeated correspondence with the railways paid off and the railway authorities decided to turn the entire stretch of Railway Parallel Road into a beautiful park.

The park has a lawn of Mexican grass with new saplings and a line of flower pots. “I spent close to Rs three lakh to remove all the weeds, parthenium grass and dirt that had accumulated on a railway land from several years,” informed Shah.

So, what motivated him to take up this cause? “My love for nature” said the seventy-year-old adding, “I want my City to be clean. I am also concerned about the health hazards that arise from garbage. No one, especially children, should suffer from any kind of disease caused by unhygienic surroundings. I believe in doing my bit towards conserving our planet.”

Apart from this, Shah has also spent Rs 12 lakh in the past to provide free two-wheeler parking and drinking water facility at 3rd Cross, Gandhinagar. His efforts have been lauded through appreciation letters from the Prime Minister of India and Chief Minister of Karnataka.