Man who has celebrated his Neem tree's birthday for 7 years

11 June, 2012

What poet Wordsworth felt for nature might be the exact feeling that Shyam Lal has for his Neem tree. He treats the tree as his own son, and celebrates its birthday each year

A FARMER in Madhya Pradesh feels a special bond with a Neem tree in front of his house and has celebrated its birthday for the last seven years. Shyam Lal Patidar celebrates the birthday of the tree by arranging balloons on the tree and cutting an actual cake. Such is the devotion of the man to this tree that he says he would let his family starve but would not stop the celebration of the birthday of this tree. He even kisses the tree to let it know his feelings and his family with his neighbors have a merry celebration on the eve of the Neem tree's birthday each year.

It has been seven years this way, and each year the farmer celebrates the occasion with much excitement. So much so that he says that he does not celebrate anyone's birthday in his house and till the day he dies he would continue with this celebration that has become a ritual for him.

At an age of concrete jungle overtaking the natural flora and fauna of our country, Shyam Lal is truly an inspiration to many. The forest department official of Madhya Pradesh is also very impressed with the efforts of the farmer and feels that if everyone feels equally for the environment a lot of problems would be lessened.