Gone but not forgotten: Families plant saplings at Hyderabad park to honour Covid victims

Hyderabad: The Haritham Group along with friends and families of people who lost their lives to Covid-19 gathered at a GHMC park located near Prahasan Nagar in Jubilee Hills to plant saplings and light candles as an ode to the lives lost.

The event took place on Friday evening.

The campaign is being called “Never Again” and was filmed by The People Vaccine Alliance as part of a documentary. This documentary will be showcased at the G20 Summit by the film crew.

“As part of today’s programme, we will plant a seedling in honour of Bandi Balaswamy, an outstanding professor from Osmania University, who passed away after a 23-day battle against Covid. Hima Bindu, one of his top pupils and an advocate for children’s rights, will plant the tree,” said Charan.

Prof. Balaswamy was a renowned professor of journalism who rose to his title with sheer hard work and dedication. He taught for a while at Assam University in Silchar before joining Osmania University, where he became a professor, head of department, and chairman of the Board of Studies.

“This is a very novel initiative to remember the people who were lost during the pandemic in the form of a tree that will last for around 50-60 years,” said a member of the public who planted a sapling in memory of a family member.

In the past year, over 500 people have planted trees in the wake of loved ones they lost during the pandemic.

Two Covid warriors, Charan and Sri Uha, started a campaign called “Haritham” in 2022, which provides comfort to many people who lost their loved ones to Covid.

Haritham’s purpose is to pay tribute to those whose lives were taken by the virus. Families and volunteers grow trees in these parks in honour of Covid martyrs. The Haritham (green) Parks, the nation’s first of its kind, are being recognised and showcased in a documentary made by a UK-based organisation called The People Vaccine Alliance.

The Haritham Park project is not only a novel idea but it also serves as a reminder of the fond memories, feelings, connections, and affiliations with deceased family members and friends. It also serves as a reminder of the relationship between humans and nature, the value of planting trees, the need to preserve the environment, and the need to establish priorities.

The minds behind Haritham

Charan and Sri Uha initiated the venture. Charan is a volunteer for Covid and the director of TSIRS Pharmaceuticals. To help it develop further, they later included IFS personnel, members of Parliament, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), and others. Widespread public support is being shown for the park since everyone finds solace in witnessing their loved ones blossom into trees.