The International Day of Peace is observed on 21^st September in many different ways around the world. I decided to celebrate this day by visiting a nursery nearby to buy plants. As always, the idea of planting trees fascinates me and I am a great supporter of eco-revolutionary activities. In my previous report of participation in ?One Tree One Life? campaign, I came across many reports of people wanting tree plantation campaigns in the UAE also. These types of initiatives can also help to raise funds for different causes, without wasting water and energy which can turn this desert into an Oasis.

On social media, the campaign ?My Tree Challenge? is going viral with thousands of supporters for a noble cause of planting trees. People are of the opinion that this is a unique challenge that aims to add value to mother earth by planting trees. Grand Hyatt Dubai as a part of campaign had invited actors to plant trees under their names in their premises. These actors are then throwing an open challenge to other actors and school children, encouraging them to plant as many trees as possible so that the target of planting 25,000 saplings can be achieved through a collective effort of thousands and thousands of people.

UAE is a place where every day we can see new records being made like Guinness world record for Biggest Charity Box, Longest Iftar Table, Miracle Garden (that is world?s largest flower garden) are just to name a few. I think by tree plantation campaigns in desert areas, another feather can be added to the cap of world records. Plants and Flowers of all varieties are available here in abundance. Most common are Dieffenbachia, Orchids, Alyssum, Ipomoea group (Morning Glory), Cycas Palm, Caladium also called ?elephants? ears, Coleus, Ficus Gold King Plants, Warneckii Plants etc.

This year I had also participated in the Neighborhood recycling campaign of EEG and collected more than 1000 Kgs of used papers for recycling for which 2 trees will be planted in my name.  Why not make it a practice of planting trees in neighborhood that can make a plethora of impacts on children and youth. Let?s start by planting in balconies, windows, kitchen, and living rooms, so that everybody can have a green, serene garden in their homes. I want to share with you some photos of my visit to a nearby nursery having a variety of fruits and vegetables that are organic and also a variety of ornamental plants that can be easily grown. I conclude with my favorite quotation:

"Peace demands the most heroic labour and the most difficult sacrifice. It demands greater heroism than war. It demands greater fidelity to the truth and a much more perfect purity of conscience." - Thomas Merton