Union Minister for Education, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, today delivered a video message urging everyone to come forward and participate in the initiative Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0. He called on citizens to advance Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Mission LiFE’ on the occasion of World Environment Day, to be celebrated on 5th June 2025. The Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0 initiative aims to plant 10 crore trees between June 5th and September 30th, 2025.
In his message, Shri Pradhan noted that beyond just numbers, this initiative symbolizes love and responsibility towards nature. He encouraged everyone—especially students—to plant a tree in their mother’s name as a tribute to both their mother and Mother Nature.
The Minister also said that this government initiative is meant to inspire every citizen to plant trees. He highlighted how, since its inception in 2024, it has grown into a mass movement. He recalled the gesture by the Prime Minister, who planted a tree in memory of his mother last year on 5th June. Shri Pradhan shared that over 5.5 crore trees have already been planted across the country. He also appreciated the efforts of children and mothers in Chhattisgarh, Tripura, and Rajasthan, for their innovative initiatives such as seed balls, bio fencing, etc.
He emphasized that this initiative reflects a commitment to the future—embedding love for nature as an integral part of our everyday lives. Shri Pradhan also noted that, according to the United Nations Environment Programme, which guides global sustainable development efforts, the solution to climate change lies not just in new technologies but also in changing lifestyles. To take this vision forward, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched Mission LiFE, he highlighted.
He congratulated students, teachers, and parents for their active participation and for driving change with responsibility and sensitivity. He also shared that over 29 lakh students have generated more than 50 lakh QR codes for the trees they planted, contributing to the creation of a vast, digital, and accessible environmental database for India.
He urged everyone to plant a tree in their mother’s name, nurture it, watch it grow, and share its story with the world. Each sapling planted, he said, is a powerful message of commitment to nature and its protection. Every sapling also sows the seed of hope—marking the beginning of a greener tomorrow.
‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’
On the occasion of World Environment Day, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, a unique initiative combining environmental responsibility with a heartfelt tribute to mothers. This campaign was inaugurated on 5 June 2024, with the planting of a Peepal tree by the Prime Minister at Buddha Jayanti Park in New Delhi. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of collective efforts to improve the environment and spoke of India’s strides in increasing forest cover over the past decade. This campaign, he said, aligns with the nation’s quest for sustainable development.
The essence of ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ is a symbolic gesture—planting a tree in the name of one’s mother. This simple act serves a dual purpose: honouring the role of mothers in nurturing life and contributing to the health of the planet. Trees are life-sustaining, and just like a mother, they provide sustenance, protection, and a future for the next generation. Through this initiative, participants can create a lasting memory, planting a tree as a living tribute to their mothers, while also addressing the pressing need for environmental preservation.
