Dr. Jitendra Singh Plants Tree at NISER for Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam
Synopsis
Union Science and Technology Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh planted a sapling in his mother's name at NISER Bhubaneswar on 9 July 2026 under PM Modi's Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign, urging citizens to join the nationwide afforestation drive.
Key Takeaways
Jitendra Singh participated in the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign at NISER Bhubaneswar on 9 July 2026 .
He planted a sapling in his mother's name and appealed to all citizens to join the campaign.
The Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign was launched by PM Narendra Modi on 5 June 2024 , World Environment Day.
NISER Bhubaneswar is an autonomous institute under the Department of Atomic Energy , within the Science Ministry's ambit.
The campaign links cultural sentiment — honouring mothers — with national afforestation and climate goals.
India targets net-zero emissions by 2070 ; community-driven plantation drives form part of that policy architecture.
Union Science and Technology Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh participated in the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam (One Tree in Mother's Name) campaign on Thursday, 9 July 2026, planting a sapling in his mother's name at the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, and appealed to citizens to join the nationwide drive.
Context
Posting on X in Hindi, Dr. Singh wrote: 'आदरणीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी द्वारा आरंभ किए गए #एक_पेड़_माँ_के_नाम अभियान के अंतर्गत आज #NISER #Bhubaneswar में अपनी माताजी के नाम से पौधारोपण करने का सौभाग्य प्राप्त हुआ' — translating to: 'Under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign initiated by respected Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, I had the privilege of planting a sapling in my mother's name today at NISER Bhubaneswar.' He also appealed to all citizens to join the campaign.
The minister shared three photographs from the plantation event, offering a visual record of his participation at the Bhubaneswar campus of the premier science institution.
Policy Backdrop
The Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 5 June 2024, coinciding with World Environment Day, as a mass public movement to drive afforestation across India by linking tree plantation to the emotional bond between citizens and their mothers.
The campaign sits within India's broader climate commitments under the National Action Plan on Climate Change and the country's stated goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. By weaving cultural sentiment into environmental action, the initiative has drawn participation from government offices, educational institutions, and public figures across the country.
NISER Bhubaneswar is an autonomous institution under the Department of Atomic Energy, placing it squarely within the administrative purview of Dr. Singh's ministry. His choice of venue signals a deliberate effort to embed sustainability practices within India's scientific research and education ecosystem.
Stakeholders and Impact
Central scientific and research institutions such as NISER serve as influential nodes in India's knowledge infrastructure, and visible participation by senior ministers can encourage faculty, researchers, and students to adopt environmental commitments as part of institutional culture.
The campaign's design — asking individuals to plant a tree in their mother's name — has proven effective in mobilising participation beyond traditional environmental constituencies, reaching ordinary citizens, schoolchildren, and public servants alike. Participation by cabinet-level figures at scientific institutions reinforces the message that climate action is a cross-sectoral responsibility.
What's Next
The monsoon season, which typically spans June to September, is the most suitable period for tree plantation in India, and the government has historically used these months to accelerate afforestation drives. Participation by senior ministers at centrally funded institutes is expected to continue through the season.
Observers will watch whether other institutions under the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Atomic Energy follow with similar plantation events, and whether aggregated data on saplings planted under the campaign is released to assess progress against national green cover targets.
Point of View
The minister reinforces the message that climate responsibility extends into India's research and innovation ecosystem, not just public parks or rural landscapes. The campaign's emotional framing — planting for one's mother — has given the Modi government a politically resonant tool that transcends partisan lines and appeals across demographics. As India approaches its international climate commitments, such high-visibility participation by senior ministers helps sustain public momentum beyond the initial launch cycle.
NationPress
9 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign?
Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, meaning 'One Tree in Mother's Name', is a nationwide tree plantation campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 5 June 2024 on World Environment Day, encouraging citizens to plant a tree as a tribute to their mothers.
Where did Dr. Jitendra Singh plant a tree under the campaign?
Dr. Jitendra Singh planted a sapling at the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, on 9 July 2026.
What is NISER Bhubaneswar?
NISER, or the National Institute of Science Education and Research, is an autonomous institution located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, that functions under India's Department of Atomic Energy.
Why is the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign significant for India's environment goals?
The campaign supports India's afforestation targets and broader climate commitments, including the goal of net-zero emissions by 2070, by mobilising mass public participation through a culturally resonant emotional appeal.
How can citizens participate in the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign?
Citizens are encouraged to plant a sapling in their mother's name and share their participation, as appealed by Dr. Jitendra Singh and other public figures who have joined the campaign across the country.
