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šŸŒæšŸ’” ā€œGreen Crusaderā€ Vanajeevi Ramaiah No More: Telangana Mourns Its Tree HerošŸ’”šŸŒæā€‹

TL;DR šŸŒ±

Daripalli Ramaiah, fondly known as VanajeeviĀ or Chettu Ramaiah, passed away at 87 in Khammam, Telangana.Ā A recipient of the Padma Shri in 2017, he dedicated over six decades to planting more than one crore saplings, promoting environmental conservation.Ā His demise is mourned by leaders and citizens alike, marking the loss of a true green warrior.ā€‹

šŸŒ³ The Man Who Planted Over a Crore Trees šŸŒ³

Born in Reddypally village, Khammam district, in 1937, Daripalli Ramaiah was a beacon of environmental activism.Ā Without formal higher education, he became a self-taught botanist, carrying seeds in his pockets and planting saplings wherever he went.Ā His mission was simple yet profound: to increase green cover and promote biodiversity in Telangana.ā€‹

Ramaiah's dedication earned him the Padma Shri award in 2017, recognizing his invaluable contribution to social forestry.Ā He was also known for selling his own land to fund his tree-planting initiatives, embodying selfless service to nature.ā€‹

šŸ’” A Heartfelt Farewell šŸ’”

On April 12, 2025, Ramaiah suffered a heart attack at his residence in Reddipalli village.Ā Despite being rushed to the hospital, he was declared brought dead.Ā His passing has left a void in the hearts of many who admired his unwavering commitment to the environment.ā€‹

šŸ•Šļø Tributes Pour In šŸ•Šļø

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed profound grief, stating that Ramaiah's demise is an "irreparable loss" to society.Ā Former CM K. Chandrasekhar Rao remembered him as a world-class figure in environmental conservation.Ā K.T. Rama Rao highlighted Ramaiah's role in promoting the "Haritha Haram" initiative, aimed at increasing the state's green cover.ā€‹

šŸ“š Legacy Lives On šŸ“š

In recognition of his efforts, the Telangana government included Ramaiah's story in school syllabi, ensuring that future generations learn about his contributions.Ā His life serves as an inspiration for environmental enthusiasts and underscores the importance of individual action in combating climate change.ā€‹

āœŠ MediaFx Opinion āœŠ

Ramaiah's journey exemplifies the power of grassroots activism.Ā In a world grappling with environmental degradation, his life teaches us that individual efforts can lead to significant change.Ā His commitment to nature, even at personal cost, aligns with the principles of social equity and communal well-being.Ā As we remember Vanajeevi Ramaiah, let's pledge to continue his mission for a greener, more equitable world.ā€‹


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