Planting saplings of trees that give shade and nurturing the ones that are drying up is the way tribute is paid by colleagues and associates of Kuldeep Singh who died in a road accident while attending a meeting in connection with Sanyukat Kissan Morcha at Lehra on Ludhiana-Malerkotla highway four years ago.
“We are a group of about two dozen activists of Technical Services Union and PSPCL Retirees’ Union who continue following our late leader Kuldeep Singh by planting more saplings at vacant plots besides taking care of those planted during his lifetime,” said Charan Singh, a retired lineman of Chhapar village.
Like his other associates, Charan Singh goes from one place to another on his scooter, carrying water cans and other paraphernalia required for nurturing plants.
“Instead of waiting for the tube-wells to work at various places, we carry water in plastic cans and water plants growing along Ahmedgarh-Lohatbaddi road as desired by Kuldeep Singh who wanted us to ensure that people visiting Guga Mari Chhapar, the venue of annual rural Chhapar Mela, get shade to relax under,” said Charan Singh, recollecting that earlier he used to carry cans on his bicycle.
When asked if any government or non-government agency had ever facilitated him or his fellow volunteers, Charan Singh said, “By trying to save plants and trees planted by our leader, we just pay our gratitude to the Almighty and never think of receiving or demanding any recognition. After all, he (Kuldeep Singh) had made us capable of doing so by first getting us a pensionable job and then solving our family issues like his own.”
President, Pensioner’s Union, Sukhcharan Jit Sharma, appreciated that the initiative taken by Kuldeep Singh during his lifetime had resulted in the growth of about 200 plants on the outskirts of Chhapar village.
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