Udupi – In line with the 2025 International Year of Cooperatives theme, “Cooperatives can build a better world”, a unique environment-friendly initiative titled ‘Ek Pede Ma Ke Naam’ was launched at Subodini Higher Primary School, Alevoor. The event focused on tree planting and environmental stewardship, jointly organised by Karnataka State Cooperative Maha Mandal, Udupi District Cooperative Union, Udupi Housing Cooperative Society, and the District Cooperative Department.

Inaugurating the program, Yatish Kumar Alevoor, President of the Alevoor Grama Samiti, urged children to plant and care for saplings at home. “If we instill environmental consciousness in young minds, our nation will thrive with greenery,” he emphasized.

Bhaskar B. Kamath, President of Udupi Home Construction Cooperative Society, presided over the event. The initiative aims to foster eco-awareness among students, encouraging them to grow trees in honour of their mothers, symbolising love and responsibility toward nature.

Several dignitaries graced the event, including Alevoor Harish Kini, Director of the Udupi District Cooperative Union; Pushpalatha, Headmistress of Subodini School; and other notable board members such as L. Umanath, Radhakrishna A, Gopal Naik, Devdas U, Ranjana S. Shetty, Sujatha S. Prabhu, Vishwanath Bayari, Dinesh Kini Alevoor, and Damodar M. Shetty.

Anusha Kotian, CEO of the District Cooperative Union, delivered the introductory speech, while Ashok Bhat, CEO of Udupi Home Construction Cooperative Union, welcomed attendees and offered the vote of thanks.