Tarumitra
| Tarumitra | |
|---|---|
 Logo of Tarumitra | |
| Formation | 1989 |
| Type | NGO |
| Purpose/focus | to protect and promote a healthy environment on Earth |
| Headquarters |
Tarumitra Ashram, XTTI, Digha, Patna-800 011, India  |
| Coordinates | 25°22′55″N 85°32′24″E / 25.3820°N 85.54°E |
| Membership | 2,00,000 (approx.) |
| Director | Fr. Robert Athical |
| Website | tarumitra.org |
Tarumitra is a students' organization to promote ecological sensitivity. Started by students in Patna, India in 1988, the organization has spread into over 1000 high schools and colleges.[1] U.N has conferred a Special Consultative Status to Tarumitra from 2005. It has over 2,00,000 members in over 1000 high schools and colleges. Tarumitra has also had several full-time volunteers from abroad.[2] The Bio-reserve has a rare collection of over 400 vanishing trees and plants of North India. The Centre has a large genetic nursery, a Tissue Culture lab and facilities to accommodate 50-100 students for nature related camps.
History
Tarumitra, meaning "Friends of Trees" in Hindi and Sanskrit, is a student movement to protect and promote a healthy environment on Earth.[3] It was the concerted effort of a Jesuit Fr. Robert Athickal from St. Xavier's School, Patna and students from few schools under the leadership of Anindo Banerjee, a class IX student from Loyola High School, Patna, that this movement came into existence in 1988. In April 1989, four high school student from Loyola High School, Anindo Banerjee, Vijay Mathur, Sanjay Pandey and Jayant Chatterjee set out on a cycle rally in North India from Patna to New Delhi to promote awareness about the environment and the movement. They met with the then vice president of India Shankar Dayal Sharma to present their findings. While returning, at Agra, Jayant fell seriosly ill and despite attempt, could not be saved. His demise shocked the movement, however his sacrifice for the environment made his companions to work and promote the movement with great zeal. Today, Jayant's sacrifice is one of the cornerstone of Tarumitra's foundation history, which is still remembered the same way as 24 years ago.
Growth
Invigorated by the spirit of the late Jayant Chatterjee, Tarumitra grew up with the assistance from Sr. Gita SND, Principal of Hartmann High School, Fr. George Manimala S.J., the then Principal of St. Xavier's High School, Patna and Bro. Joe Pulickal, his assistant, who went out of their way to establish the organisation firm footing. Through their efforts, the present headquarters of the movement, Tarumitra Ashram was inaugurated by the Collector of Patna, Arvind Prasad on February 20, 1991. The strength of tarumitra also increased rapidly. The girls of the local Hartmann High School under the leadership of Sr. Gita SND and Sr. Roshni SND gave the initial fillip needed for any new organisation. Units after units of Tarumitra sprung up in various schools in and around Patna. Many college students, social activists and journalists have also joined Tarumitra in its crusade against the destruction of the environment of India.
Campaigns
The activists of Tarumitra has taken out massive rallies, organized protest demonstrations,[4] resisted the felling of trees and forests,[5] built road side gardens, cleaned up garbage dumps, planted rare variety of trees, taken house-to-house awareness schemes to name a few. Tarumitra has developed several garbage dumps into beautiful roadside gardens called 'Oxygen Belt' . Each garden is maintained by School or a plant nursery. Tarumitra maintains a total of 38 Oxygen belts. Working with a Swiss Physist Wolfgong Scheffler, Tarumitra has helped to set up a plant to fabricate solar cookers along the traditional solar panels to harness solar energy. The activists has taken our processions for bannining the use of plastics.
Today
Tarumitra has expanded from the Centre of the City to the remote areas of the country. It has joined hands with similar organizations to support the cause. It also takes part in International summits[6] on environment. The attempt and sacrifice that Tarumitra has made is very much aprreciatable. The home grown initiative has shown the student about the urgent need for the environment. The movement came at a time when the environment was not on the spectrum, however its concerted effort has succeeded in its goal. Jayant's sacrifice is showing fruit today by having a country wide base of Tarumitra Volunteer.
References
- ↑ Tarumitra - Friends of Trees University-Community Partnership for Social Action Research (UCP-SARnet), Arizona State University, United States. Retrieved Mar 2010
- ↑ Tarumitra Vishwa jyoti Communications, Varanasi
- ↑ Tarumitra St. Xavier's Sr. Sec. School, Raj Niwas Marg, Delhi-54
- ↑ Tarumitra cultivates organic paddy The Times of India. Retrieved Sep 25, 2012
- ↑ Tarumitra Activists Protest Tree Cutting PatnaDaily.com. Retrieved Aug 29, 2010
- ↑ Ambassador report TARUMITRA AT RIO+20 Tunza Eco Generation Retrieved 2012-06-21