JOIN USPara-athlete wants govt job to continue green mission
TV Subramani, a 38-year-old para-athlete, is on a mission to green his village in Dodda Tumakuru on the outskirts of Bengaluru.
With an income of only Rs 10,000 per month, Subramani has been planting trees for about 13 years. He has so far managed to plant more than 60 trees in his locality.
“My only wish is to get a government job," he said. "Panchayat people have promised me to get one this time. With a better job, I will be able to focus more on planting trees.”
Subramani has appealed to the government for two acres of land near Rajagunte so that he can grow a small forest just outside Bengaluru. So far, however, he has received no help.
At 10 years of age, Subramani lost his left arm from lack of proper treatment after a snake bite. That hasn’t stopped him from pursuing his passion for sports. He has won two gold medals in discus throw, one silver medal in javelin throw representing India at international events.
Subramani has won 64 medals at the national and district level. He has also captained kabaddi and cricket teams.
With the help of his friends Murali and Manjunath, they have planted a large number of trees, including mango, neem, sampige, and cotton along water tanks in his neighbourhood in Yelahanka taluk. It's a way to increase clean air for the locality.
“I tend to plants like they are my own kids. Even my 5-year-old daughter helps me in planting saplings,” he said.
Faced with a deteriorating environment, Subramani has made it his life’s mission to grow as many trees as possible to save his village and Bengaluru. He said, “People should get involved in greening activities. Otherwise, our villages will become unlivable.”