R. M. Dobriyal, IFS (RTD)

This is Dr. Ramesh Nelluri. He is a neurologist by profession, with a busy hospital in Narasaraopet, in AP. He brings oxygen in two ways: to his patients with tubings, to the society by planting trees in troves. Planting trees is not only a passion for this doctor whose father, Nagaiah Nelluri, is a farmer. It’s his life-mission. He cares for his plants just like he cares for his patients. But that’s not the only way he helps the environment: One Sunday every month, he goes to a neighbouring village and treats hundreds of patients free, but on one condition: each of them have to plant one tree. He will provide them with the saplings. The patients are then encouraged to take effective care of these plants: they are supposed to send pictures of the plants they have sown every month. Here is the twist: if they send the pictures regularly, they get 30% discount on the hospital bill if they ever need admission. Thus he promotes rural plantation. He gives saplings of Mango, Guava and other fruity trees. ‘The best days of my life are when my patients come back to me with the fruits from the trees they planted with my saplings’, he proudly says. When we see the rising prices of vegetables, because of low crop yields due to climate changes, we need to realise that we need more people like Dr. Ramesh Nelluri. May God give the plant doctor more strength to do greater things for the society. वृक्षों रक्षति रक्षित: The words on the file he gives to patients. Kudos!! #HealingWithTrees #GreenCareGiver #SaplingsForSustainability