9-year-old Elangbam Valentina Devi, who lives in Manipur’s Kakching district, had planted two Gulmohar tree saplings near her home when she was in class 1. They grew up into two beautiful trees over the years.
Last Saturday after she came back home from school, she found that her two trees had been mercilessly chopped off. The government officials had ordered to widen the road, hence the trees needed to be cut down. Heartbroken, she started crying inconsolably.
According to sources, a video of her crying went viral on the internet which received a lot of attention, especially in a time when deforestation and climate change is being talked about globally.
I wasn’t long before Manipur CM came across the video and decided to do something about it.
“I saw her crying inconsolably in a video posted on Facebook as two trees that she had planted were felled”, the CM said.
It was then that Manipur CM decided to make the little girl the ambassador for the Chief Minister’s green mission which had launched in July! Kakching Superintendent of Police was ordered to visit the girl’s house and gift her with new saplings.
She will be the State Government's “Brand Ambassador" for "CM's Green Manipur Mission"
Posted by N Biren Singh on Wednesday, August 7, 2019
Valentina Devi is now the new Green Ambassador for the Chief Minister’s Green Manipur Mission for 1 year “in recognition of her immense love and exemplary affection for the trees and in order to generate mass awareness on conservation of environment”. A government order was also released on Wednesday.
The title comes with a lot of responsibility and some benefits. She will henceforth be involved in various “government-sponsored plantation” like ceremonial plantations, VIP involved plantations, World Environment Day and Van-Mahotsava. She will also be involved in campaigns and advertisements that will promote greenery in Manipur.
U pambi 2 yanlubgi nupimacha amana mapukning nungshina kappadagi upal 500 thanaba leikai miyamna warepnahouwi..U chara ani yanthatlambagi thamoi sokna kaptuna u chara 20 thajingani haina piklina ichan Valentina Elangbam na ngacgi miyamda upalsingbu mioibgi thwaimakni haibagi paojel ama sandoklibc miyamnasu wakhal taminnarashi,Echal gi Wakhallon bu awangba Thakta Thamli……||Videos :- Ramesh Elangbam
Posted by Kangleipak Mirror on Saturday, August 3, 2019
Her love for trees and the environment has been winning hearts online. Netizens are inspired by the spirit of the little girl and are giving a huge thumbs-up to the Manipur CM’s decision!
This r the real ambassadors and not the celebrities. Thanks for honoring common ppl, I am sure she will excel in her role of Green Ambassador
— Praveen 🇮🇳 (@ArraPraveen) August 7, 2019
https://twitter.com/thanglen_manza/status/1159131957764116481
Awww.. so cute and good decision by CM Biren Singh. #Phazai 👌🙏
— Tony Sahajlain 🎧 (@TonySahajlain) August 8, 2019
What a way to acknowledge her !!! Kudos, Sir!!
— Chittukuruvi (@chittukuruvi4) August 8, 2019
https://twitter.com/icedtea28/status/1159668424168968192
Good dedication Mr CM,thanks for conveying her, we hoped you to promote the green India and green Manipur.We are waiting for a good environment Manipur.
— Laishram Singh (@LaishramSingh2) August 7, 2019
She is one in the millions and must be encouraged so the others can learn the good step, I see the first time on my entire life a small girl cry so badly when the JCB machine cut down the tree. Very emotional and proud for her https://t.co/2WjpAaVdkh
— N.CHANDRAKUMAR SINGH (@chandra985678) August 8, 2019
Till the time there are people like her, there is still hope. https://t.co/UuZaotecrK
— Nikhil Mishra (@jigyaaasu) August 9, 2019
Thank you for not appointing another Bollywood celeb! Genuine people like this inspire others a lot more than the fake ones… https://t.co/eCGHkRWnGU
— Pradeep Amaresan (@PradeepAmaresan) August 9, 2019
These are the kind of leaders India needs! Kudos to the little champ!