He dabbles in the dialectics of Rousseau and advocates “Return to Nature” calling upon his fellow Samaritans to go “green”, by turning Odisha as the “green capital of the world” by 2035. His brainchild “Prerana” is a step in this direction. He not only circumscribes himself to the phantasmagoria of the golden triangle of literature, culture and nature but also slips out of it to translate his dreams into reality. No wonder, this dreamer and realist has planted as many as five lakh trees in the State by now. Dillip Srichandan began his career as a lecturer at then Srijagannath Mahavidyalaya in Khordha district after having won a PhD from the Utkal University and remained as its principal for 15 years. He relinquished his job, contested in a by-election and won from the Khordha Assembly constituency in 1998. A prolific writer, his books are no unedifying flip-flops but are masterpieces faithfully delineating his brilliant concepts and ideas. His novels include Suryasta Purbaru, Sallaj Sakala, Sarunathiba Swapna and Manisha Bhitare Manabikata Ebe bi Banchichhi. His dramas include Gachha, Aranya Kahani and Aranya Phasala. He also has many poetic creations.His books always have a message to the society mostly on the theme of plantation, preservation and protection of forests. In an interview to The Pioneer, Srichandan spoke to Sugyan Choudhury from his office at Nayapalli.
What is this institution called “Prerana” all aboutIJ
We formed Prerana with a vision to beautify Odisha again after it had been denuded of trees in the 1999 Super Cyclone. We have been successful in planting over five lakh trees in various process of Odisha. We have planted as many as 10,000 casuarina trees in over 120 acres of land at the Sreejagannath Mahavidyalaya, Kaipadara, Khordha, out of which the college reaps a bonanza of Rs 2 lakh per annum that adds to the college’s finances. We have also planted 5,000 trees in the RK Mahavidyalaya areas in Khordha district adding to the scenic beauty of the college. At my village Gayabandha, we have planted 30,000 trees and we are providing protection to a jungle area of 400 acres. In the vision plan of Prerana, we have incorporated that we must try to make Odisha as the “green capital of the world” by 2035. We are also trying to constitute a green army regiment by recruiting one lakh people including youths for achieving our target. On October 6, 2015, Governor Dr SC Jamir will inaugurate our regiment at the Stewart School campus in Bhubaneswar. We have also instituted a Green Man Award consisting of Rs 1 lakh and a citation from 2014. This award is presented to a person for outstanding contribution in tree plantation, protection and creation of forests. We also offer Green Hotel Award to the hotels which are eco-friendly to their customers. We too offer Green Crusher Award for the crusher units which are protecting their environment by not allowing dusts to the air by protecting through a cover of trees. Similarly, Prerana’s Green Village Award goes to the village which has produced and protected densely populated trees. We are also trying to impress upon the State Government for promulgating “The Tree Act” as in vogue in New Delhi, Bangalore and in foreign countries.
How are you trying to nationalise and internationalise Prerana’s visionIJ
We have our slogan “Plant a tree locally, reduce warming globally”. For this, we have been organising a “Green World Art and Cultural Fest” for the last two years which representatives from 40 countries are joining. We are also trying to open “international gardens” and “memory gardens”. In international gardens, overseas visitors will plant a tree of their choice and the condition of the tree will be intimated to the foreigner from time to time. In the memory garden, a hundred eminent persons will assemble on October 6 at the Stewart School to plant a tree each as a mark of their memory, and the growth and health of the memory tree will be intimated to him from time to time. We are also trying to educate the masses through animation films wherein they are made to know that destruction of trees finally leads to destruction of life on this planet of ours. Moreover, a journal called “Tree” is published carrying articles of much value and interests on trees to educate the masses. Besides, one of my popular dramas centreing round trees is being enacted at the Rabindra Mandap, Bhubaneswar. Prerana is also planning and staging street dramas to popularise plantation and protection of trees.
In my essays, I have dealt on the greatness of tree and littleness of man. In an essay Mu Mantri Tie Hebi na Gachha Tie Hebi (If I would be a Minister or a tree). I have analysed that as a Minister I can only remain for five years, but as a tree I will be of use to one and all by providing them food, shelter, clothing, etc. I can also be a martyr for becoming a book or being a dining table or a bed in every house. I feel expanded by spreading towards the sky and I feel my roots solidly transplanted on the ground below. I cannot be happy as a man of power for a short while, but I can be eternal and immortal by continuing to let my life live for others. In the animation films, we have also shown the assembly of animals in Bhubaneswar posing questions to Ministers “If you have destroyed our habitats then we shall have our gossip vine here at your place”. You see the herd of pachyderms marching to the city is a case in point that we homosapiens are fairly and squarely responsible for the displacement of animal kingdom. Prerana is also making an appeal to present plants to guest on dais, to plant a tree on one’s marriage anniversary and on the birthday of a newborn.
What about your cultural movementsIJ
I have started the Khordha Mahotsav in 1998. It was followed by the Bolgarh Mahotsav, Gadamantri Mahotsav, Tapang Mahotsav, Ranpur Mahotsav, Bhubaneswar Mahotsav and Odisha Mahotsav, etc. Today the concept of Mahotsav has spread to the nook and corner of the State. I have been conferred with many awards and recognitions like Mahotsav Samrat, Mahotsav Janak and Cultural Ambassador from many important institutions. I consider these awards as a kind of recognition only. By Mahotsav, I have tried to shift the cultural fest from a limited sphere to the open air pandal where all the cultural items are made available. The culinary delights of the areas with their special foods are available while the history and the legends of the area are displayed through drama and cultural seminars in the fest. People are also offered with marketing of their items. The art and the culture of the area are highlighted. The artists of the area are felicitated. The concept of Mahotsav has undergone qualitatively and quantitatively. My life is a curious amalgamation of Sahitya, Sanskruti and Prakruti.
What’s your message to the future generationIJ
It is that they should each plant a tree for their future. Time comes when the future generation of students will have to carry oxygen bottles with them to their schools like water bottles children carry today. If trees are not planted, our future in this planet is uncertain. Besides, I should appeal to them to imbibe all that is best in our own culture while assimilating all that is best in Western culture. Our age-old culture has had in its fold the scientific truths to which we are all turning blind. The use of cow dung as a disinfectant is ideal. The worship of Ganesh with elephant head reminds us that transplantation of limbs had reached its heights in our culture. Cleanliness is next only to godliness which our culture has taught us. Plantation of neem trees was our habit out of which the Daru Devata or the concept of lord Jagannath has evolved. Hence, we should not think that anything foreign is superior to everything that is Indian.