NEW DELHI:There is a story behind the lush green central ridge of the roads in Dwarka Sector 22 and 23. It begins with Parminder Khetrapal, a retired sales tax officer. Every evening, he sets out on a mission in his compact sedan, equipped with a 150-litre water tank and a pump.
While people are confined to their air-conditioned rooms, this 61-year-old steps out from his maroon-colour car and his eyes carefully scan for plants that need attention. With his inventory of gloves, a small cutter and a towel, he bends over plants like a doctor attending to patients. After careful examination, he cleans, prunes and waters them. He then returns home a happy person and does yoga. And this happens every evening.
“It’s not just watering. Plants too need proper care,” said Khetrapal . Plantation on these roads of the central ridge was done by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) in April, but after two weeks, the authority said it cannot provide water to the plants.
“I started watering the plants after the authorities did not show any interest in these. I requested everyone, but they did not respond to my pleas. No one stepped forward to save the trees,” said Kehtrapal. He says he needs two people to water the trees and plants.
After clearing the Staff Selection Commission exams, he shifted to Delhi from Phillaur in Punjab in 1981. He lived in Vikas Puri and later shifted to Gurgaon. He had a great interest in the capital’s architectural beauty and historical grandeurs like the Red Fort. One day, he got a few saplings from the Forest Department as he felt the need for greenery around his house and family. He then planted around 3,000 trees at Maruti Kunj, a 100-acre society set up by Maruti Motors, on Sohna Road, Gurgaon.
With a mission to contribute something to the society, Khetrapal along with a few other retired persons have created a voluntary organisation called Sukh Dukh Ke Sathi. Khetrapal believes that all the work and activity that he has been doing for the last one year, after his retirement, has helped him improve his health too.