When Bhopal shopkeepers celebrated birthday of a Neem tree!

How does one determine the birthday of a tree? Traders in what is commonly known as the shop market here have decided that the birthday of a tree is the day when it was brought to there as a sapling and planted.

By Ram Chand Sahu

Bhopal, June 26 : How does one determine the 'birthday' of a tree? Traders in what is commonly known as the shop market here have decided that the birthday of a tree is the day when it was brought to there as a sapling and planted.

The tree in question is a neem tree. It was brought to the market 13 years ago and affectionately looked after by all the shopkeepers.

On the occasion of the 'birthday' of the tree, cards were printed and distributed, inviting the shopkeepers to participate in the celebrations. The tree itself was decorated with flowers and garlands, balloons and ribbons.

The shopkeepers cut a cake and distributed sweets. They convey their affection to the neem tree, which became a member of their family thirteen years ago.

Loved by everyone in the shopping centre, the Neem tree provides shelter to all during hot summer afternoons.

Shambu Prasad Shukla, the organiser of the tree birthday party said that they (the shop keepers) have been caring for the tree as their own child.

Shambu Prasad Shukla, host of the birthday party, said: "The market didn't have any tree earlier. There was no shade also in the market. People used to feel very hot and this place was used as parking vehicles. Therefore, we decided to grow a tree."

Shopkeepers and regular customers join under the shade of the neem tree, cut a cake and distribute sweets.

Sudheer Kumar, one of the guests, said: "People celebrate their children's birthday. It is nice to seem someone who had decided to celebrate the birthday of the tree. "

U.K.Singhal, another guest, said: "The people have organised a very good party to celebrate a tree's birthday. I have not seen such a birthday celebration of a tree in my entire life. If people will look after the trees like this then definitely we can see greenery all over."

The guests were invited and were given sweets, pastries and many other eatable items.

ANI