On July 18, 2023, Odisha’s Hon’ble Chief Minister, Mr Naveen Patnaik, officially launched the Sri Sathya Sai Prema Tharu Programme, a visionary initiative led by the Sri Sathya Sai Trust, Odisha, and the Sri Jagannatha Service Foundation. The program at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar aims to plant and nurture at least 10 lakh trees in Odisha by 2025, contributing significantly to environmental preservation efforts.
In his address, the Chief Minister expressed his appreciation for the initiative, stating that trees play a vital role in safeguarding human life and are essential for promoting ecological balance. Odisha, known for being at the forefront of environmental conservation in India, will further strengthen its commitment to sustainability through this program by planting one million trees.
The event witnessed the presence of key dignitaries, including Mr Karthikeyan Pandian IAS, Private Secretary to the Chief Minister, and Mr R. Vineel Krishna IAS, Secretary to the Chief Minister, along with senior officers from the Governments of Odisha and India. Officials from the Forest Department and other distinguished guests also graced the occasion.
The Sri Jagannatha Service Foundation, a charitable organisation dedicated to promoting community welfare and environmental initiatives in Odisha, played a significant role in bringing this program to life. Established by a group of dedicated youngsters—Mr. Abhinav Krishna Jasthi, Mr Kritin Kodali, Mr Prithvi Prasad, and Ms Prakruthi Motaparthi—the foundation has been actively involved in numerous charitable activities across the state.
Mr. Abhinav Krishna Jasthi, President of the Sri Jagannatha Service Foundation, welcomed the gathering and emphasised the importance of addressing climate change and global warming. He shared that the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust has set a nationwide goal to plant one crore trees by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s birth centenary on November 23, 2025, under the Sri Sathya Sai Prema Tharu banner. The Sri Sathya Sai Trust and the Sri Jagannatha Service Foundation are committed to planting and maintaining 10 lakh trees in Odisha.
Mr. Jasthi highlighted the support of the Government of Odisha, which provides saplings and offers vacant lands in government schools, colleges, and hospitals for plantation. He further expressed that every tree planted under this initiative is an act of devotion to the Divine Creator and a responsibility towards preserving Mother Nature. To ensure transparency and monitoring, all trees planted will be geotagged and uploaded on the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organizations website, accompanied by photographs.
In addition to their environmental efforts, Mr Jasthi mentioned the successful collaboration between the Sri Sathya Sai Trust, the Sri Jagannatha Service Foundation, the American Heart Association, and AIIMS Bhubaneswar. In February 2023, these organisations launched a CPR training program to educate 2,500 police personnel and students in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in the presence of the Chief Minister. The program aims to train two lakh people in CPR across Odisha by 2025, helping to save countless lives.
Mr Jasthi concluded by reaffirming the foundation’s commitment to exceeding the target of planting and maintaining one million trees in Odisha, ensuring a brighter, greener future for generations to come.
