The villagers of Anandpur continue to live with the memory of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and his family’s surprise visit in July 1984. A 150-foot-tall peepal tree stands as a witness of the visit in the Chhattisgarh village.
Briefing this to Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Tuesday, a grandson of Ramcharan Sai of Pando tribe said Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia, Priyanka and Rahul landed in a helicopter in village Katgodi in July 1984 when it was part of undivided Madhya Pradesh.
Rahul Gandhi reached the nearby village of Anandpur by car.
He said stopping the car near Ramcharan Sai and his wife Kunti Sai, Rajiv enquired about their well-being. He then presented a peepal sapling to the couple. He asked them to grow it.
The couple did so, taking care of the sapling as if it was a child. The tree is now 38 years old.
Ramcharan said his grandmother Kunti Bai told them to take care of the peepal tree as a symbol of Rajiv Gandhi's memory and "our ancestors".
When the Chief Minister came to know that Mil Sai had garlanded Rajiv Gandhi and his sister Lawango Bai had served them food, he called them to the stage and asked them to sit by his side.
Village head Mil Sai, 64, told Baghel said he was deputed with the Forest Department.
As Rajiv Gandhi and his family arrived, he used a garland made of Siddha Phal (fruit of a medicinal plant) to welcome him. Sai said it was not edible but tribes wear it to protect them from evil eyes. This brought a smile on Rajiv Gandhi's face.
Baghel stated that the peepal tree will be given heritage status and protected. Phool Sai’s grandson Ramcharan Sai presented a portrait of Rajiv Gandhi to the Chief Minister.