CHANDIGARH,Dated: 29/01/2024,The Income Tax Department, Chandigarh in collaboration with the Government College of Education, Sector 20D, Chandigarh carried out a tree plantation drive in the college campus of the Government B Ed College, Sector 20, Chandigarh. The event is a part of the Swacchta Pakhwada being organized by the Income Tax Department from 16th to 31st January, 2024. The Parijat-Eco Club, VADA Club and the NSS Cell of the college organized the event. The Principal of the college Dr. Sapna Nanda extended a formal welcome to the guests.

The Chief Guest of the day, Ms. Amrapalli Das, Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, North Western Region (NWR), Chandigarh inaugurated the event by planting the first sapling (a Champa Machelia) that would form a family constituting the first Aromatic Garden in the city of Chandigarh.

In her presidential address, Ms. Amrapalli Das shared her words of wisdom on the civic responsibility cast upon every citizen in the matter of clean, healthy and sustainable living and lifestyles and making lasting contributions towards the same. She emphasized that all government and non-government bodies must take on the responsibility with enthusiasm and inspire the various stakeholders of the community to actively participate and contribute in creating a better, brighter, healthier, safer and more harmonious world ahead.

The guests of honor from the Chandigarh Office of the Income Tax Department gracing the event with their presence were Sh. N. Jayasankar and Shri Vivek Nangia (Pr. Commissioners); Ms. Garima Singh, Sh. Vivek Nangia and Sh. Rohit Sharma (Commissioners) and Ms. Tarundeep Kaur (Additional Commissioner).

The noted film actress, Ms. Samaira Sandhu, who is a Brand Ambassador of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan of the Chandigarh Administration and Ms. Prabhjot Atwal, Nodal officer, VADA Club representing the Department of Social Welfare, Chandigarh Administration functioning under the leadership of Dr. Pallika Arora, Director, were present as special guests to grace the occasion. During and after the event, Ms. Samaira Sandhu and Ms. Prabhjot Atwal interacted with the students of VADA club and Parijat-ECO Club.

Further, the tree man, Mr. Rahul Mahajan, the founder of Organic Sharing Foundation collaborated in the plantation drive by providing more than 100 plants. 5 plants of Champa Machelia and 5 of Tej Patta were planted by the chief guest, special guests and invitees as above to inaugurate the Aromatic Garden in the college. Following the above and as a part of the drive,100 plants of Ficus Benjamina were also planted by officials of the Income Tax Department, the Social Welfare Department and volunteers and faculty members of the college.

The gardeners of the college Mr. Jai Ram, Mr. Mewa Singh, Mr. Bhullar Ram and Mr. Kirpal were honoured by the Chief Guest for their devotion and dedication in maintaining the campus in a clean and green manner. Dr. Ravneet Chawla, Program officer, In-charge NSS, the VADA Club and Dr. Ravinder Kumar, In-charge of Parijat-Eco Club with the Student-President NSS, Shivam Jha hosted the program.