A PRICELESS INITIATIVE

"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now" – Chinese proverb

With this exact purpose the Earth Club of North South University hosted their most anticipated event of the year, "BeeTalk presents A Tree for Free" on October 5-7, 2015. "A Tree for Free", as the name suggests, was an event aimed at distributing 1000 plants among the students, staff members and faculty members of North South University, for free. The event was sponsored by BeeTalk, a social networking app. The event was initiated last year by Earth Club as a means of promoting tree plantation among the North South University populace.

The event began at noon of October 5. As the booths for plants distribution were set up, students started gathering around the booth. The steps to getting a tree for free were simple: install the BeeTalk app, register the student ID number and then simply collect the tree. By the next hour, around 100 plants had already been distributed. After the lunch break, 200 more plants were given out till the booth closed for the day. Over the next two days, the crowd grew bigger and the plants were received with even greater eagerness, where 300 and then 400 plants were given away on the second and third day respectively.

The students of NSU were overly enthused at the opportunity of receiving a potted plant for free. Despite having to stand in a queue in between classes, a huge crowd of students were constantly present around the booth, looking for their chance to grab a plant. 
Nandita, a student of Economics, excitedly articulated her experience of getting a brand new potted plant for free: "I feel really lucky to be one of those 1000 to be getting a plant today. I feel like I'm going to be contributing towards the environment in my own way by taking this plant home. I'll keep this on my desk and it'll always be a reminder of this wonderful event."

Not only the students but faculty members from every department of NSU were also gifted with selected plants. The event was highly appreciated by faculty members and the North South University authority. 

The faculty advisor of Earth Club, Nishat Shayala Islam, explained when asked about the future plans of the club regarding the event: "This event was initiated with the hope of encouraging a greener environment among the people of North South University and we believe we have been successful based on the tremendous response from everyone. However, we intend to take "A Tree for Free" beyond the boundaries of North South University to reach out to a greater mass of people with the aim of creating a greener and better future". 

The radio partner for the event was Radio Foorti and the print media partner was SHOUT.

Labiba Mustabina studies biochemistry and biotechnology at North South University. A tree hugger, she also claims to be a closet artist. You can reach her at labiba.wish@gmail.com