COIMBATORE: Addressing the nation in his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke highly about Ganapathy resident Marimuthu Yoganathan, popularly known as the ‘Tree Man’.
Yoganathan, a bus conductor with the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC), gives a sapling along with tickets to passengers. “He has been spending a huge chunk of his salary towards the cause and has planted innumerable trees. After listening to this story, who will not appreciate his work? I heartily congratulate his efforts and his inspirational work,” the PM said.
According to sources, Yoganathan had planted more than three lakh saplings in the last 30 years and received awards including ‘Eco Warrior’ from the Vice-President and ‘Sutru Suzal Seyal Veerar’ of the state government.
Yoganathan, who was on duty when the programme was aired, came to know about it later through his friends. “I am extremely happy. This inspires me to continue my work. I am sure that it would also inspire others to take up tree plantation. Ever since the speech was aired, I have been receiving telephone calls from people, asking for saplings. I have noted down their details and will give saplings to all of them,” he told TOI.
“When I started planting saplings 30 years ago, people made fun of me. But things changed after 2008, when I received an award from the Vice-President,” Yoganathan said. “I am conducting interactive sessions on tree plantation for students and IT employees every Monday, on my off day,” he added.