Gift rose saplings, not roses, Bakul urges lovers in Odisha capital

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Feb 14:

Volunteers of Bakul Foundation were on the roads in the Odisha capital today with decorated rose saplings packed in fancy baskets and eco friendly wrappers to spread the message of gifting rose saplings rather than only roses to the beloved ones on the occasion of Valentine’s Day.

“If we promise to be in love for a lifetime, then why not gift something that grows and stays forever,” said Sulagna Sivaprava, a volunteer from the city based organisation Bakul Foundation.

“We have set up two stalls in the city. Ten florists have joined hands with us to spread this cause and packed saplings are available with them as well,” added Sulagna.

A total of 200 plants have been sold so far since we launched the campaign today. We are receiving orders for more and will keep spreading the word of gifting trees. Our basic idea is to bring a cultural change where people will think of buying a sapling instead of a gift or a bouquet,” said Alok Mohanty, another volunteer.

“This is a gift that grows. Llike this tree, I wish our relationship will also grow,” said Madhumoy, a buyer, who got a red rose plant packed in a basket for his Valentine.

“Tree for Free’ is an initiative under the ‘My Tree Campaign’ launched by Bakul, which aims to create an emotional connect between individuals and trees by promoting individual ownership of trees. The main objective of the ‘My Tree Campaign’ is to promote gifting and plantation of trees as a cultural practice where it becomes a part of the everyday lives of people.

The campaign, which started in 2009, has many components through which the idea of gifting trees is promoted such as a campaign on social media, environmental film festivals and workshops at schools, colleges and apartments to create awareness.