Piyush Manush - Restoring water bodies and planting forests

Sometime back D had sent me a link to a news item which talked about a single man's journey to create a huge forest in a remote, barren area in the north east. It also had a video and it was nothing short of a miracle. Today I heard from my niece that they had gone on a field trip to salem-dharmapuri to be a part of a project a single man has accomplished in the field of afforestation and restoring lakes. She gave me graphic first person account of the trip and I was spell bound.

I just googled piyush and got a whole lot of information on the unbelievable work that he is doing in Salem- Dharmapuri area. I have always believed that one person can make a difference and this story just reinforced my belief. My niece said, all of them helped in cleaning up the lake which he has restored. He does this cleaning up everyday he told them. They went to the forest area and also helped in moving huge rocks to help make the place ready for planting further trees. He lives there amidst the forest that he has created. His wife also plays a big part in his work.She made wholesome meals for the 27 students who had gone. My niece added " we really eat a lot you know"!

The couple are really doing such pioneering efforts, but that she could single handedly cook for 27 robust young adults with huge appetites really took my breadth away. She did not do a mixed rice dish or pongal. She made dosas and kuzhi paniyaram for breakfast and made rotis and two sabjis for their lunch. Hurrah!

He had said to the newspaper reporter once, I do all this to satisfy my soul; I am a very selfish person!
I really wish there are many more people who have this brand of selfishness!