Pune: In a remarkable display of environmental commitment and community spirit, the Solid Waste Management Department of the Kothrud-Bavdhan Regional Office, Pune Municipal Corporation, organized a large-scale awareness rally, cleanliness drive, and tree plantation initiative to mark World Environment Day on June 5, 2025. The event was spearheaded by the senior citizens of the Navchaitanya Laughter Yoga Club and saw the plantation of 177 trees on the premises of the Regional Ayurvedic Research Institute.
The initiative was part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and Swachh Survekshan Mission 2025, jointly supported by Cummins India Ltd., Swachh, Yardi Cooperative Society, Janvani Cooperative Society, Seva Sahayog Foundation, Rotary Club of Sahwas Pune, SagarMitra, and other voluntary organisations.
The awareness rally, held across several localities including Dahanukar Colony, Kothrud Gaothan, Ganganjaya Society, Gujarat Colony, Dnyaneshwar Colony, Gadhave Colony, Shastrinagar, Azadwadi, Mayur Colony, and Ideal Colony, aimed to spread key environmental messages. Slogans like “Plant trees, nurture trees,” “Say no to plastic,” “Protect the environment,” and “Save nature, secure the future” echoed through the streets.
What made the rally even more inspiring was the enthusiastic participation of 90 senior citizens, all aged between 65 and 95 years. Led by Ashok Pujari, President of Navchaitanya Laughter Club, the team included active members such as Sarojini Kamble, Shailaja Deshpande, Gayatri Panse, Mangala Oname, Indu Chaudhary, Shobha Dhas, Vijaya Yadav, Latika Sangle, and Ashok Shalu. They were joined by an additional 40 citizens who engage in regular exercise routines.
Under the guidance of Sandeep Kadam, Deputy Commissioner (Solid Waste Management), and the support of Assistant Commissioners Mr. Vijay Naykal (Kothrud-Bavdhan) and Mr. Deepak Raut (Warje-Karvenagar), the tree plantation drive saw the planting of 177 saplings in the campus of the Regional Ayurvedic Research Institute. Officials from the institute — Dr. Arun Gurav, Dr. Shrirang Jamdagni, Dr. Anurag Kumar, and Dr. Vinod Abanave — actively participated in the effort.
A special cleanliness drive was carried out in the Balasaheb Thackeray Garden with active participation from Cummins India’s Sandeep Kshirsagar and Sampat Khaire, SagarMitra office bearers, Pramila Ghorpade (Yardi), Soham Khilare (Swachh), Mandar Jadhav, Yuvraj Chabukswar, and Hemant Zhade (Seva Sahayog), along with volunteers from Janvani and other NGOs.
The successful execution of this environment day initiative was made possible by the relentless efforts of health inspectors Karan Kumbhar, Sachin Lohkare, Ganesh Sathe, Ganesh Chondhe, Datta Dalvi, Jaya Sangade, Pramod Chavan, Laxmikant Kulkarni, Mukaadam Vaijinath Gaikwad, Anna Dhavare, and several other civic workers and volunteers including Ashok Kamble, Sainath Telangi, Paresh Kuchekar, Kunal Jadhav, and Pravin Kamble.
This collaborative and multigenerational initiative stands as a shining example of how community-led actions can bring lasting change. Through tree plantation, public engagement, and environmental awareness, Pune’s senior citizens proved that age is no barrier when it comes to protecting our planet.
