Janak Didi's 41st "Raksha Bandhan" Celebrated by Planting 50 Saplings

Tree-Planting for the last 40 Years 

INDIA:

Jimmy and Janak McGilligan Foundation for Sustainable Development celebrated Padma Shri Dr. (Mrs.) Janak Palta McGilligan’s 41st "Raksha Bandhan" by planting 50 saplings. On August 28, 2026, Janak Didi celebrated the auspicious festival of Raksha Bandhan at "Dutni Tekri"—located behind her home, "Giridarshan," in Sanawadiya—by planting 50 saplings collectively with her "Rakhi brother," Rajendra Ochani, and other environmentally conscious brothers and sisters. Janak Didi shared "planting saplings on Raksha Bandhan began in 1986 following a chance travelling in train Indore -Delhi with Rajender Ochani .He was inspired by Janak because of training tribal girls, often volunteering his services on Sundays alongside his wife, Jyoti. When he asked to tie the Rakhi for the first time, Didi readily agreed. However, Jyoti Bhabhi (sister-in-law) gently asked whether she preferred a saree or a salwar-suit. Didi replied, "What I love most is a tree sapling." That is how Raksha Bandhan has been celebrated ever since then.

The program commenced with the blowing of the conch shell by renowned cardiologist Dr. Bharat Rawat, followed by Baha'i prayers recited by Janak Didi, Dr. Prakash Kaushal, Dr. Priya Sharma, and the children. Dr. Bharat Rawat and Gynecologist Dr. Neerja Pauranik sang a song "Save the Environment" by planting trees as a message from Janak didi . Together, everyone planted 50 saplings to mark Janak Didi's 41st Rakhi celebration. Environment lovers from Lucknow, Delhi, Gwalior, Indore, Sanawadiya, and neighboring villages all planted saplings .Foundation Trustee Anuradha Dubey and Prof. Ashish Dubey; village Deputy Sarpanch Prakash Rawaliya; Chartered Accountant Shri Laxman Khandelwal; social worker Smt. Vidyavati Rawat; Acropolis Director Dr. Anurag Tiwari (along with his sister Anju, Satyendra, and son Advay; solar engineer Susumita Bhattacharya; architect Angad Kasliwal; Praneet and Srishti; the Inder Bhandari & all his family; Bharat Bhandari; Mahendra Dhakad; Ravi Gupta; Hemant and Keshav; Manoj Nagar and his children; sustainable farmer Bharat Sing; and Shailendra and his friends planted . The tree plantation and subsequent care was with the support of the Indore Forest Department and Jaivik Setu. Janak Didi extended her heartfelt thanks to everyone.