May 22, 2017
Selvakumar is a man with a mission.
A native of Kangeyam in Tirupur, Selvakumar, for the last seven years, has been spending the weekends by pedalling all through the State creating an awareness among the people on growing more trees and saving the environment.
Employed at the Tirupur Taluk office as an Assistant, Selvakumar wears a special shirt during the weekend mission. The shirt – specially designed with 70 pockets that would hold 70 types of saplings. The shirt can bear upto 120 kg weight. Holding a placard, he crisscrosses various places in his bicycle. He also distributes saplings free of cost to people.
“I am a fan of our former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. His speeches have always motivated me. At home, my father inspired me to do something for the society. Though my wife initially disagreed with me, she started supporting me later on,” says Selvakumar who spends around Rs. 3000 every month from his salary for the noble cause. He also makes and sells paper bags for Rs. 20.
Selvakumar has been bestowed with ‘Iyarkai Arvalar’ and ‘Pachai Manidhar’ awards by some schools in Tirupur.
“The support I received in places such as Madurai was really good. People understood and promised to grow more trees and protect environment. Unfortunately, the support I have received in Coimbatore so far is not good. That is very disappointing. I am yet to get permission from the district Collector to continue my mission,” he said.