Indore is known as the cleanest city of the country, the financial capital of MP and a student hub among many other things. Famous for its poha jalebis, hills, lush greenery and housing both IIM and IIT, Indore is a city that has become an ‘ideal’ worth achieving. Among the top most institutes in India, IIM Indore, is a college that people dream of landing and much like the rest of Indore, they too have been quite vocal and aware about, cleanliness, hygiene and the environment.

To show a little more love towards the environment and spread awareness about the importance of planting trees and being sustainable, IIM Indore commenced its newest batch with a plantation drive.

Unlike the drives where people plan a sapling, do a photo-op and finish off with nothing but a smidge of dust on their fingers, this plantation drive was a full blown event. The institute made sure to include it in the schedule of the new batch and chalked out a solid 2.5 hours of the schedule and dedicated it to planting trees.

The event, was a huge success with the new students who got to spend some time in nature and away from the intense pressure of studies. While the plantation drive was a simple affair, the idea behind the entire process, was commendable. In the words of the director, Himanshu Rai, “Give preference to living beings. Be in the here and now”.

The idea that we need to take out time for the environment and for people, focus on “living beings” and be present is an idea we all need to live by. Especially when our actions today, can cause such major repercussions for the environment and all the creatures.

Let’s hope that the lessons which we learn from Indore can be taken up by the rest of the country, other cities and we can all at least be present.