Mysuru: Combining his love for Kannada literature with environmental conservation, BMTC mechanic Santhosh Madenur has a novel offer for visitors to the Kannada Book Fair at Bharat Scouts and Guides Grounds, held as part of Mysuru Dasara: recite a poem or vachana and take home a free sapling.Santhosh, who has taken 12 days of earned leave for the initiative, is distributing medicinal plants and grafted fruit saplings at stalls 11 and 12. The saplings are given in the names of participants’ parents, in the hope that they will nurture them as a living tribute to their loved ones.The initiative promotes environmental conservation, Kannada literature and health awareness. Santhosh aims to distribute 4,000 to 6,000 saplings during the 12-day programme, which concludes Oct 20. Around 900 were distributed in the first three days to visitors who recited poems and vachanas.A nature enthusiast, Santhosh said he has planted around 19,400 saplings and distributed approximately 56,400 medicinal plants over the years. At the Mandya Sahitya Sammelana, he distributed about 1,864 medicinal saplings.The non-profit initiative involves no monetary transactions with participants. Santhosh, who has also authored three books, said the Dasara book fair offered an opportunity to reach a wider audience and inspire more people to cultivate plants at home.
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