From Cake to Kadambham: A New Birthday Ritual!

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Who knew birthday celebrations could smell fresh earth and sound like rustling leaves instead of party poppers? At Divyaramam Eco Park in Tirupati, a quiet movement is taking root quite literally.

On the occasion of his 65th birthday, veteran journalist and Sri City GM Palavali Ramachandra Reddy chose not to throw a party. Instead, he invited friends to plant trees, launching a unique campaign:

“Plant a Tree on Your Birthday: A Gift to Yourself and the Planet.”

The idea bloomed early that morning amidst chirping birds, soft prayers, and lots of laughter from the morning walker group. With saplings in hand and soil on their palms, a group of senior citizens reminded everyone that growing older can be about growing greener, too.

“We wanted to do something meaningful, not just for Ramachandra garu, but for future generations,” said Dr. Tammineni Venkateswarulu, one of the core team members. “Every birthday should leave behind a leaf, not just a memory.”

Joining the initiative was District Forest Officer P. Vivek, IFS, who planted a Kadambham sapling and announced an ambitious plan: replacing invasive plants with over five lakh native trees endemic to the sacred Seshachala hills. These include Ravi, Marri, Raktachandan, and Neredu, known for restoring local biodiversity.

“Trees don’t ask for cake. Just water and love,” quipped Mr. P. Ramesh Reddy, who welcomed the gathering and recalled how the morning walker group had long dreamed of giving back to the green space they walked through daily.

The event wasn’t just ecological; it was spiritual. Guests echoed the message “God Everywhere in Nature,” a gentle reminder that protecting trees is a form of devotion. Nature writer Bhuman and former SV University VC Prof. Rallapalli Ramamurthi lauded the walkers for turning a personal milestone into a public movement.

In a symbolic gesture, DFO Vivek gifted Mr. Reddy a wooden box of 65 native spices, a nod to his age and earthy values.

The campaign’s core team Dr. Venkateswarulu, K. Amarnatha Reddy, Babu Naidu, Ashok Reddy, and Ramesh Reddy was honoured with khadi shawls during the ceremony, which began with a serene pooja under the morning sun.

And just like that, a handful of walkers in Tirupati may have sparked a movement that travels across cities, countries, and continents.

“If every birthday brings one tree to life,” said Mr. Ramachandra Reddy, smiling“, imagine what 8 billion birthdays could do.

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