I have been observing the plants in and around our complex through out the year. In winter most of the plants have stop flowering squeezing their leaves with accumulation of dust. They seem to be in slumber.   With the arrival of spring season the trees become lively.  New tender leaves appear initially with violet tint slowly turning to   yellowish green within a day or two which finally resume the original soothing green colour.   Some of the trees seem to be smiling with blooming flowers of different hues depending on the nature of the plants. In the months of hot summer the leaves of the trees give a brownish dried appearance as if waiting for survival and looking forward to be quenched with rains.  Flowers are also seen to bloom   but these are not so bright as compared to those in spring or rainy seasons. During this summer small plants need watering to appease   their thirst just like other animals and creatures.

Here I would like to quote Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose, eminent Scientist who proved and written in his notes” Gachher O Praan Achhe”; implying that plants and trees have also got life. In our Bhagavat Gita, the words “VANSPATAYA NAMAHA” find place which means one should pay obeisance to vegetable kingdom.

We nearly 180 families have been residing in our complex. In summer, morning to evening we use maximum water to beat the summer heat. We make a lot of arrangements at home to keep us cool and comfortable using excessive amount of water. Early morning some of us make a round in the complex   searching for flowers. We try to pluck the flowers from the trees as many as possible competing with others. We expect maximum flowers to grow in the scorching summer as these are the prerequisites for our daily Puja as otherwise the God may be displeased. But have we ever thought of pouring a few drops of water on the thirsty plants which are providing us daily flowers for our Puja, especially during hot summer season. Should we totally depend on our paid gardener? Or we should ourselves also take the initiative to care for these plants from time to time or at least once in a week. We may also encourage our children to assist us. The children will get inspiration to grow their own trees and develop the hobby of gardening. I know many of the families have got flower pots in the balcony of their flats but growing plants in the ground soil is definitely more charming.

Secondly for worshipping (Puja) if we need flowers that should be restricted to a minimum numbers. . Here I find a number of grown up residents while plucking flowers make it a point to leave no flower on the tree. They should also think for others. May be an old lady is unable to come on time in the early morning to pluck the flowers due to her ailment.  So everyone should pick the flowers as minimum as possible leaving some flowers for the others.

People like me who are not very particular about the daily rituals of Puja but only nature lovers expect to see a few flowers on the top of the flowering plants for the sake of beautifying the environment of the complex.  Alas! We seldom get this pleasure.  The Complex people are deprived of this natural beauty.

 “Ma ki goud mein shishu sundar”, “Gau ke saath Bachhra sundar”,  “Phool lage peron mein sundar.” That’s why Lord Krishna has said “Pujan karna hai to Nature ka Karo - Main usi mein Hoon”.

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