A garden in memory of dead: Mancherial

“Planting saplings in memory of departed souls give kin a sense of satisfaction”

​Mancherial: Forest department has made elaborate arrangements for planting saplings in memory of the dead by their relatives at the Smritivanam in the Gandharivanam at Bokkalagutta near here in Mandamarri mandal of the district following the directions of Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao. This is unique in the state.

According to Renukuntla Srinivas, who had planted saplings in memory of his mother Balamma, said that his mother worked hard as a daily wage earner to see him and his siblings in a good position. But, she died when he and his siblings were about to get settled down in job.

Whenever, he visited the Smritivanam, he recalled the memories of his mother. The Chief Minister also ordered establishing Raasivanam, a park with zodiac signs and Nakshatravanam along with a herbal medicine garden.

So far, 2,500 saplings have been planted in the Smritivanam. The Forest Department is collecting Rs 2,000 for each plant from the near and dear towards maintenance. A cement structure indicating the name of the dead person and other details will be built near the sapling planted.

Near and dear of several prominent political leaders, people’s representatives and film actors got saplings planted in memory of the departed and thus availing the services of the Smritivanam.

The forest department has appointed an exclusive officer to supervise the activities of the Smritivanam. In the Raasivanam, people from Maharashtra have planted saplings relevant to the zodiac sign of the departed.

Hailing the Chief Minister’s decision, several people have been appealing to the government to set up similar parks in other districts to enable the people to fondly remember their beloved.