Bihar Govt Launches “Pyaar Ka Paudha” Initiative, Urges Couples To Gift Plants Instead Of Roses

We’ve celebrated Valentine’s week with ‘Propose Day‘, ‘Hug Day‘, ‘Kiss Day‘ etc and tomorrow is the main event. February 14, the day we shower our near and dear ones with love and presents. This year, the Bihar government is making a strong case for an eco-friendly gift instead of the traditional roses that wither away in a couple of days.

According to Hindustan Times, Bihar’s Department of Environment, Forest & Climate Change has launched the “Pyaar ka paudha” (a plant of love) initiative as part of the Jal Jeevan Hariyali campaign.

The department is urging couples to gift their loved ones a plant that’ll live for years. Stalls, where saplings are available at affordable rates, have been set up in Patna for this purpose.

Watch your love and affection grow with a plant! Become a part of the "Pyaar Ka Paudha" initiative , give your loved ones a sapling from our stalls set up at different locations of the city. #JalJeevanHariyali @SushilModi @NitishKumar pic.twitter.com/DlV04LcJ84

— Department of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (@DEFCCOfficial) February 13, 2020

Financial Express quoted the department’s Principal Secretary Dipak Kumar Singh saying,

“Care has been taken to ensure that the saplings are of varieties which can grow in flower vases, kept in places where sunlight may not be in abundance. Most dwelling places in the urban sprawl are marked by such conditions.”

He further added,

“We have sought to convey the message that a sapling bears flowers and fruits and has the potential to grow into a big tree if conditions allow. And this is the way we wish our relationships to be.”

The good news is that these stalls will remain open even after Valentine’s day promoting the message that plants make for a better gift than flowers. If successful, the idea will be replicated across the state.

Cover Image Source – left, right