The National Service Scheme of Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, in collaboration with Kovai Makkal Sevai Maiyam, organised a large-scale Walkathon on the theme “Lifestyle For Environment – Walk The Change” along with a Green Credit Programme titled “Virtual Tree Plantation” here on Thursday.
The walkathon was flagged off by former Rajya Sabha Member K. Sarath Kumar and Coimbatore South MLA Vanathi Srinivasan, founder of Kovai Makkal Sevai Maiyam. Around 1,500 NSS volunteers from Avinashilingam Institute participated, highlighting virtual tree plantation as an effective and innovative approach to environmental conservation.
The initiative also recorded an overwhelming virtual response, with more than 92,000 students from 20 educational institutions joining online, reflecting strong youth participation in sustainability-driven activities.
Presiding over the programme, Vice-Chancellor Dr. V. Bharathi Harishankar recalled the launch of the Virtual Tree Plantation initiative one-and-a-half years ago and outlined its significant impact at both personal and institutional levels. She also highlighted the extensive NSS programmes carried out in 26 adopted villages and the Digital Detox initiative implemented on campus, congratulating all stakeholders for their sustained efforts.
In her special address, Vanathi Srinivasan said India is emerging as a global leader in addressing key international challenges and is steadily progressing towards the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. She emphasised the country’s demographic advantage and noted that the Virtual Tree Plantation initiative had already resulted in the planting of 10,000 trees.
Chief guest K. Sarath Kumar underlined the importance of leaving behind a healthy planet as a lasting legacy. He cautioned students against phone addiction, alcohol and drug abuse, and stressed the values of education, dignity of labour and social responsibility.
The programme also featured an overview of the Virtual Tree Plantation initiative by M. Pradeep Kumar of Thenchittu Organisation, linking it to the Prime Minister’s Mission LiFE announced at the COP summit in Glasgow. A sustainability pledge titled “My Everyday Earth” was administered by the Vice-Chancellor, reinforcing the collective commitment to environmental protection.
