Hyderabad: The eighth edition of the Green India Challenge began on a grand note Saturday at the Sri Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple in Keesara Gutta, with former MP and campaign founder Santosh Kumar planting a sapling alongside former minister Ch. Malla Reddy. The event also featured the unveiling of the new edition’s logo.
Addressing the gathering, Santosh Kumar said the initiative, launched with inspiration from former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, is a lifelong commitment. He said he had adopted the Keesara forest and that afforestation efforts were in progress.
Over the past seven years, the Green India Challenge has seen the planting of more than 20 crore saplings across the country. “This has been made possible by the collective support and blessings of people,” he said, urging everyone to mark occasions – birthdays, weddings, anniversaries – by planting three saplings. “This is not just an initiative, it’s a necessity,” he added.
Former minister Malla Reddy, speaking at the event, said the term ‘sanatana’ inherently reflects the spirit of environmental harmony. “Haritha Haram is Santana. So is the Green India Challenge,” he remarked. He congratulated the campaign on entering its eighth year and noted its global recognition.
Santosh Kumar also offered prayers at the Ramalingeswara temple prior to the launch, receiving Vedic blessings from temple priests.
Celebrating 8 years of the #GreenIndiaChallenge with a transformative step for our planet! Today, we teamed up with #DeepankarMandal & #UmaShankerMandal from Purbhasha Eco Helpline Society, @ignitingmindsin‘s @kkmardi, and our #GIC Co-founder @RaghavBRS to plant 2,000 mangrove… pic.twitter.com/Cp9RnEO1pW
— Santosh Kumar J (@SantoshKumarBRS) July 27, 2025
The event saw participation from former Keesara Sarpanch Madhuri Venkatesh, former BC Commission member Kishore Goud, ex-corporation chairmen Dudimetla Balaraju Yadav and Allipuram Venkateswara Reddy, Rajini Sai Chand, Sumitranand Tanoba, Haritha Sena state coordinator Satish, and several BRS leaders and cadres.
