In 2010, Dr. Abdul Kalam sought Tamil actor Vivek’s help to spread awareness on global warming and the need to conserve the environment and trees in particular. Subsequently, Vivek launched the Green Kalam Movement with an aim to plant 10 lakh saplings across Tamil Nadu. Within a year, the team met its target and the final sapling was planted by Abdul Kalam himself at a tsunami- affected village in Cuddalore in January, 2011. Many educational institutions, businesses and social organisations came together for the project. School and college students took part in the initiative as volunteers.
Kalam insisted the project should not be named after him, after which Vivek briefly changed its name to Green Globe. By 2021, nearly 33.23 lakh saplings had been planted. In order to take the message of Kalam to the students, Vivek had travelled extensively across the State spreading awareness about global warming and environmental protection.
Picture Credit : Google
