BALOTRA, 23 November 2024: In a significant move aimed at enhancing community well-being, Syngenta India has completed the development of a piece of land adjacent to the Balotra Railway station into a park with facilities like walking path, children’s play area and an open gym and lush flower-bearing hedges and trees on all sides, at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore.
In a joint effort with the Nagar Parishad, Syngenta has helped in conversion of a waste dumping ground adjacent to the Railway station that was causing severe health hazard and foul smell into a beautiful park that offers fresh clean air and a refreshing and attractive ambience where people can come for walk or socialise. The park will offer a safe place for children to play and elders to enjoy clean air and ambience to boost their health and wellness. Additionally, the initiative will help foster a sense of community cohesion and camaraderie.
Susheel Kumar, Managing Director and Country Head, Syngenta India, extended his heartfelt wishes on the occasion and underscored the company's unwavering commitment to supporting communities in rural and semi urban areas and the society at large across the country.
"Syngenta truly believes that a healthy mind resides in a healthy body and has been taking a number of initiatives for enhancing health and hygiene in various states through its Corporate Social Responsibility projects. The citizens of Balotra were seeking a well- designed park where they could enjoy walks and undertake other activities for a healthy lifestyle” stated Dr K C Ravi Chief Sustainability Officer, Syngenta India. This park would also encourage children to undertake physical activities and spend time outdoors so important for the holistic development of body and mind. He thanked the Nagar Palika and the Railways for entrusting Syngenta with the opportunity to elevate the quality of life for the people of Balotra.
The Vande Bharat Park, as it has been named, is adjacent to the Balotra Railway station, is set to prioritize safety and convenience for its users with high fencing enclosing the park on all sides, preventing entry of unsocial elements and electricity poles will provide ample lighting for safety and security during evening hours. The park's ambiance is further enhanced by vibrant flowering plants. Additionally, keeping in mind the convenience and comfort of visitors of the park, separate male and female toilet blocks and a drinking water station has been provisioned.
The park was inaugurated in the presence of Shri Kailash Chaudhary, former MP Barmer-Jaisalmer and former Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India’ along with Shri Arun Chaudhari, MLA, Pachpadra; Smt Sumitra Jain, Chairperson, Balotra Nagar Parishad and Shri Babu Singh Rajguru, District in-charge Balotra (BJP) along with other local government officials.
Prominent among those present on the occasion were Smt Hemlata Sundesh, Co-chairperson, Balotra Nagar Palika and Shri Babusingh Rajguru, Zila Adhyaksh Balotra and Shri P S Jagdeesha, Head, CSR and Smt Mallika Verma, Director Government Affairs, of Syngenta India Pvt Ltd.