JOIN USIt is a park to keep the memories of the departed alive. However, Rajiv Gandhi Smriti Van in Nizamuddin, itself seems to have become a memory for Delhi.
Once a park thriving with various species of trees, planted in remembrance of belated souls, it now sees visitors rarely. New trees are seldom planted and old ones have also been forgotten by those who planted them.
Created in August 1991 in memory of former PM Rajiv Gandhi, Smriti Van is spread over a large area of 19 acres, and lies in three parts on both sides of Nizamuddin flyover. In the initial years, there was sufficient enthusiasm from public.
People would come regularly to plant saplings. Within a few years, the park boasted of a large variety Neem, Bargad, Peepul, Gulmohar, Mango, Ashoka and Jamun trees. Plaques would be placed below each describing the departed in a line or two. Even as late as 2008, 250 saplings were planted, as per records. This number, however, has drastically fallen since.
Today, the park is nothing more than a home for the vagabond, children’s playground and lovebirds’ paradise. The effort to keep it alive on the authorities’ part is visible – grass is regularly pruned, trees well maintained, beautiful shelters and seating arrangements are all present.
But people’s participation - the original purpose of this park – is missing.
A caretaker informs, “I haven’t seen any visitors to plant saplings here for days now. We even have a nursery inside the park so that people don’t have to get their own saplings but somehow people don’t seem to be interested anymore.”
MCD spokesman YS Mann corroborates this, “In the last one year, we have had only eight people planting saplings here. Not only at the Rajiv Gandhi Smriti Van, but at other places too, this scheme of planting saplings in the memory of a lost one, doesn’t really seem to have succeeded.
Recently we launched this plan whereby a sapling can be planted in any MCD garden of one acre and above in remembrance of a departed soul. We will provide the sapling, a tree guard and take care of it for its life at a charge of Rs. 1100 only. We have hardly got any response so far.”
So has the idea of planting trees become passé? Professor Prabhakar Rao, environmentalist and member NGO Kalpavriksha says, “No. Many people, even today, would definitely come forward to plant a tree for a departed one.
But they should, at least, know about the existence of such a van. The authorities have hardly publicised the initiative. Even if you come to know about it and visit it, it is difficult to locate it on the ground in the absence of proper
signages.
He adds, “These initiatives should be carried through and not just be used as publicity gimmicks. Last year, a similar Smriti Van for Kargil martyrs in Noida was destroyed to raise former UP CM Mayawati’s park.
Can you imagine how hurtful it would have been for families who planted saplings there? With such a precedent, would anyone like to invest their money and sentiments in a Smriti Van?”