Respect for nature was a recurrent theme for the nine internship students from Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham’s Live-In-Labs program- four from Ryerson University, Toronto, and five from the department of Social Work, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore campus, as they planned their education-related internship in Idukki, Kerala, guided by AmritaCREATE.

So it was a natural beginning point for them when they heard Chancellor Amma speak about the four sacred trees beneficial for the environment Athi (Fig), Itthi (Peepul), Peraal and Arayaal (Banyans). On their first day at Amma’s adopted village of Komalikkudi in Idukki District of Kerala, they planted a sacred grove of these four tree-saplings near the village temple. Using this as the focal point of their work in the village, they connected with the village people, a tribal community that work and live close to nature.

At the village, an AYUDH (Amrita Yuva Dharma Dhara) group was formed with the village youth.  Robert Westmore, representing AYUDH, Europe, was also present at the occasion.  As part of the 101 Villages Project, AmritaCREATE will continue to train and educate the local village children and youth to foster and preserve respect for nature.