The green side to Hema Malini
The green side to Hema Malini
As the recent cyclone Tauktae battered the west coast of the country, it caused much destruction to people and property. It even hammered at Mumbai’s green cover, uprooting 2,363 trees and tearing down branches of many others.
So recently, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) prepared a list of forty-one native trees that could be planted in Mumbai, K West Ward along with the ‘Make Earth Green Again’ (MEGA) Foundation. Hema Malini, actor, MP, inaugurated the MEGA Foundation’s campaign initiative called ‘Be a Tree Parent – Adopt a Fallen Tree Pit’.
The MP inaugurated the initiative by planting a Tamhan sapling in a pit that had once held a fortyfive foot tree. Incidentally, Tamhan is also the name of Maharashtra’s state flower.
Throughout our interaction, Hema Malini discusses the importance of planting trees.
Excerpts from the interview:
Q What made you associate with the tree planting initiative?
This cyclone destroyed so many trees all over Mumbai. Since I came to this house in Juhu in 1972, I’ve seen that the beauty of this area is the innumerable trees in it. My kids and I have seen all these trees growing with us. So, suddenly not seeing even one tree that was once there feels so bad. It feels like a member of your family has gone missing. That is why we have to plant new trees and it’s good we have made new beginnings. Also, Tamhan will also bear nice flowers.
Q What further steps do you think the Indian Government can take towards forest conservation?
“I LOVE PLANTS. I HAVE AROUND 50 ASHOKA TREES AROUND MY BUNGALOW IN JUHU. EVEN AT HOME, I HAVE A LOVELY TERRACE ON MY FOURFLOOR BUILDING, WHICH IS FULLY GREEN. I LOVE TO GROW ROSES — I’VE GROWN ROSES IN MY MATHURA HOUSE TOO.”
We have to preserve trees, animals and birds and wildlife. So while builders create homes for people to accommodate them, they need to ensure they don’t destroy the forests.
Q Do you spend time gardening in your bungalow in Juhu?
I love gardening very much and I love plants. I also have around 50 Ashoka trees around my bungalow in Juhu. Even at home, I have a lovely terrace on my four-floor building, which is fully green. And in front of my floor, I’ve made a small, lovely garden, for which even yesterday I bought some flowering plants from the nursery. I love to grow roses — I’ve grown roses in my Mathura house too.
Q Have you considered buying a farmhouse?
Oh, I have one already. Dharamji’s farm is mine too (laughs). But yes, I don’t get much time to go there. The farmhouse is huge and stretches about 200 acres.
Q Does Dharamji spend a lot of his time in the farm house?
He went there a couple of days ago after a long time, though earlier, he used to go but come back in a few days. We don’t let him go there much because he ends being all
I have one already. Dharamji’s farm is mine too (laughs). But yes, I don’t get much time to go there. The farmhouse is huge and stretches about 200 acres. He grows a lot of carrots, tomatoes and many varieties of vegetables — mostly seasonal.
alone there. We tell him not to be there for long because we can look after him nicely here.
Q There was talk that you have not seen each other for the last one year. Is that true?
I also read that piece of news... it’s not true. Dharamji often travels to the farmhouse but usually for a short period.
Q Does he grow vegetables at the farmhouse? Are there any special organic vegetables and fruits he brings for you?
He grows a lot of carrots, tomatoes, etc., and there are many varieties of vegetables he brings home, mostly all of which are seasonal.