Mann ki Baat: PM Modi praises SCCL employee for green initiative

PM Modi in his radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’ referred to Rajasekhar’s plantation drive, stating that from across the country, plantation-related inspiring tales were coming up and one such example was Rajasekhar

Kothagudem: A Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) employee, Kotturu Nurvi Rajasekhar aka Mokkala Rajasekhar, has received accolades from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his green initiative.

In his address to the nation during the monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’ aired on September 29 and telecast on DD News and DD National, the Prime Minister referred to Rajasekhar’s plantation drive, stating that from across the country, plantation related inspiring tales were coming up and one such example was Rajasekhar.

“His commitment to plant saplings amazes us all; having started the plantation drive four years ago he has planted one plant everyday and so far planted more than 1500 saplings,” the Prime Minister said while requesting the countrymen to join a campaign ‘Ek Ped Maa ke Naam’ (one plant in mother’s name).

SCCL director (E&M and operations) D Satyanarayana Rao congratulated the employee for being featured in the Prime Minister Mann Ki Baat and thus winning accolades for the company. In the presence of several officials he felicitated him at SCCL head office here on Monday. The director asked Rajasekhar to encourage everyone to participate in ‘Ek ped maa ke naam’ as suggested by the Prime Minister and motivate fellow employees to become voluntary participants in environmental protection by planting saplings.

Speaking to Telangana Today, an elated Rajasekhar said he was very happy for receiving recognition from the Prime Minister Modi. “It is a momentous occasion for me,” he said. Telangana Today had earlier published news stories on his green initiatives.

It might be noted that Rajasekhar, who works as a fitter at SCCL’s Central Workshop in Kothagudem started his plantation drive in July, 2020 after being inspired by former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao’s ambitious Telangana Ku Haritha Haram campaign.

He named his initiative as ‘Prakrithi Haritha Deeksha’ and also made youngsters join the plantation drive. He also distributes bird nests and paddy sheaves to friends and relatives for the protection of bird species like sparrows.