UP academicians join ‘prayer to nature’ initiative

LUCKNOW Several academicians, including university professors and vice-chancellors from Uttar Pradesh, joined the nationwide ‘prakriti vandana’ (prayer to nature) initiative on Sunday.

The initiative, undertaken by two organisations having people from Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in them, hugely trended on twitter.

Nearly 50,000 people in Awadh region worshipped plants at their places and people associated with the two organisations - Paryavaran Sanrakshan Gatiwidhi and Hindu Adhyatmik and Sewa

Vice chancellor of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University was among several academicians, officials, priest and corporate honchos who took part in event on Sunday.

Foundation -- spearheaded the effort.

Prof Sheela Mishra from the statistics department of Lucknow

University, prof Sanjay Singh and prof RKP Singh, vice chancellors of Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU) and Shakuntala Mishra University, officials of the forest department and medical and health department, temple priests and many others joined the awareness campaign.

“We want to involve students, too, as they can become ambassadors of the campaign to protect the environment,” prof Sheela Mishra said.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, during his virtual address at the ‘prakriti vandana’ campaign, said the mindless exploitation of nature needs to end.

Diwaker (he goes by one name), associated with Vishwa Samvad Kendra -- RSS’s publicity arm -- said Kaushikji of Chinmaya Mission also addressed the participants through video conferencing.