Itanagar: The state unit of the Indian Medical Association (IMA-AP) planted saplings and also adopted a stretch of NH-415 divider in between Itanagar-Naharlagun road to commemorate the national Doctors Day celebration here on Friday.
Speaking to the reporters, IMA-AP President Dr Lobsang Tsetim said that understanding the social responsibility of the association towards society, the members decided to adopt the stretch of highway divider by planting plants as well as taking care of it.
He said it is the first-ever such approach by any individual or group that a highway is being adopted. Also, the decision to adopt was taken with permission from the capital district administration and highway authority.
Appealing to the public to take up such an initiative in the beautification of the highway, Tsetim also informed that the association will be totally devoted to taking care of the saplings and plants planted. Moreover, the initiative will not only help in terms of beautification of capital highway roads but also in some way help in controlling climate change, which is a great concern to the people, he added.
"The office of the association is being constructed near the adopted stretch of highway. So these will facilitate better taking care of the saplings. Likewise, the association is also planning for bigger initiatives in planting more plants in days to come so that it gives a healthy feeling to the passer-by," he said.
CMD of Heema Hospital Dr Byabang Rana said that besides just plantation drive, the association also wants to create awareness among the public on the importance of plants and trees in human life.
He said people are well aware that the lack of trees is the prime cause of landslides and soil erosion in any place. Therefore, people should come forward and plant more trees to avoid such a situation.
Meanwhile, SPO Blindness control Dr Taba Khanna informed that National Doctors' Day is being celebrated every year on this particular day to honour Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy who was a famous physician and freedom fighter from West Bengal.
He said the celebrations in India began on July 1, 1991, and Bidhan Chandra Roy's birth and death anniversary, both fall on July 1. He also became the Chief Minister of West Bengal from 1948 till his death in 1962.
"Every year we celebrate the day in different manners but this year the association decided to beautify around 700 metres of the median of the NH-415. Through contributions by the doctors, we have planted foxtail palm and bougainvillaea plant today," he said.
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