The Trustees of Jalaram Temple Leicester assisted by the Hanuman Savak Group, together with local schoolchildren, community and business leaders gathered outside the Virbaimaa Jalaram Community Centre, to take part in a special tree-planting ceremony on Sunday 8th May 2022, as part of Her Majesty The Queen’s Green Canopy Campaign for her Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Hindu spiritual leader Dwakeshlalji Mahodayshri travelled from India to be a part of the event, which saw 14 trees planted in total. These included trees planted by: Trustees of Jalaram Charitable Trust, Vaishnauachaarya Dwarkeshala (Kadi Ahmedabad), Leicester Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby, Leicester Council of Faith, Hindu & Jain Temples of Leicester, Children of Jalaram Bal Vikas, Fullhurst Community College, Ellesmere Community College, Hanuman Seva Volunteers Group & Organ Donation CampaignGroup, Sanvika & Ruhani Ruperalia, Chandubhai Morarji Rughani, Sanjay & Jayshreeben Rughani, and Shree Hiteshbhai Pujara, together with trees planted in memory of loved ones: Former Police Commissioner-Late Simon Cole, Late Lalitaben & Shantilal Tharkrar, Late Motiben Harji Mashru, Sponsored by: Manubhai Mashru, Maganlal Mashru Sponsored by: Pradeep Mashru, Siana & Diyan Mashru, Nayla & Sia Patel.
Pramod Thakkar-Trustee of Jalaram Temple Leicester said:
“The Queen's unwavering dedication to the nation has been an inspiration to us all, so I am delighted that our organisation has led the way forward to plant trees to mark her Platinum Jubilee and support The Queen's Green Canopy initiative on behalf of the people of Leicester. Planting a tree is a simple but enduring act that will provide habitat for wildlife and be enjoyed for years to come. I hope our initiative will encourage many more community groups, organisations, and Leicester residents to also plant a tree for the Jubilee, which will benefit current and future generations”.
Muna Chauhan-Hindu Faith Ambassador for the Tree Planting initiative said:
“The Queen's Green Canopy is a unique tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022-2023, which invites people from across the United Kingdom to ‘Plant a Tree for the Jubilee’. We are urging the entire Hindu Community across the UK, from individuals to community groups, villages, cities, counties, temples, schools, and businesses to play their part to enhance our environment by planting a total of ‘1008’ trees through to the end of the Jubilee Year ~ This would be the Hindu contribution to the Green Canopy initiative.
Sanjay Jagatia-Chair of The Hindu Think Tank UK (Hindus in the UK) added:
“It is heart-warming that so many individuals and organisations agreed to be part of the tree planting ceremony today, and I know that these trees will go a long way towards helping with climate change. Trees are indeed essential, as they feed us and animals, provide fresh air to breathe, and support all other members of their ecosystem. Hindu’s worldview of nature is based upon the Vedas and the Upanishads, the ancient scriptures which not only describe the eternal principles and the unified ontology of humans, gods, and nature, but give prescriptions for living, which then translate themselves in terms of the Hindu way of life, and various devotional and ritualistic practices. Trees are divine representatives that incessantly consume themselves on multiple fronts to ensure, all beings survive and remain healthy”.
The Hindu scriptures – Atharva Veda states:
“Mother Earth may whatever I dig from you grow back again quickly, and may we not injure you by our labour”.
Article by Asian Voice