Sowing Seeds of Change: A Life Enriched by Nature

An inspiring story of Payal Dawar (Khyaal Community Member)

“My name is Payal Dawar, 63 years old from Agra. I completed my B.Sc. from Delhi University. I worked in the Accounts sector until I got married in 1988. Soon, we were blessed with a daughter.

I grew up in a house which was on a 100-acre farm and always surrounded by greenery. However, after marriage, my new home was just concrete with no greenery around, and I deeply missed nature. To change this, I removed part of the flooring in front of our house and planted trees, starting with lemon and fruit trees. A few years later, we bought our own house with a big verandah, which I filled with plants, including flowers and vegetables.

In 2016, my daughter moved to California for further studies. With more free time on my hands, I started taking tuitions for students from 6^th to 10^th std from 3 to 5 p.m. and dedicated the rest of my time to plants and environmental activities.

Initially, I joined an NGO where I learned how to make compost at home using kitchen waste instead of throwing it away. We also raised awareness through street plays. However, challenges arose within the NGO over time, so I decided to leave. Along with my friend Rekha Hansi Ji, I started my own initiative, Green Hands.

We began by making seed balls, mixing soil and coal powder with fruit seeds. Every morning, Rekha Ji and I would prepare seed balls at home and then head to the banks of the Yamuna River to throw them into the soil. The rainy season gave them the best chance to grow into trees. Slowly, more people joined us, and we expanded into tree plantation activities. We encouraged residents and shopkeepers to allow us to plant saplings near their premises. Some hesitated, but many agreed. Through these efforts, we have planted over 400-500 trees across Kamla Nagar and other parts of Agra. We also ensured that those who planted trees took responsibility for watering and caring for them.

In addition, we donated plants to schools and conducted composting workshops. We extended our efforts to government centres, where we saw large open spaces being used as garbage dumps. We hired a JCB at our own expense, to clear the land and planted nearly 1,000 trees over there. Our work expanded further with the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, and we started conducting workshops in parks, educating morning walkers on composting household waste instead of burning it. We placed posters in nearly 15 parks and visited multi-story buildings to teach residents about composting.

Additionally, we collaborated with other NGOs, assisting them with wall paintings and plantation drives. We also participated in exhibitions, distributing free compost bins and promoting eco-friendly habits such as using cloth bags instead of plastic.

Today, our NGO consists of four senior citizens and a few young volunteers. Despite challenges, our dedication to nature and the community remains strong. Through Green Hands, we have built a community of nature lovers. We are proud of our achievements and hope to inspire more people to protect the environment.

During the Covid period, my friend and I came across an ad about free food distribution in Indore. Inspired by this, we decided to help. Under the name "Prasadam", we started cooking meals at home and announced our free food distribution on social media. The response was overwhelming. Initially, we prepared simple meals, unsure of people’s preferences. As word spread, we received more calls and requests. Our work was even covered by local media, attracting more support. Soon, we established 13 food distribution centres. Donations poured in, and we raised around ₹6-7 lakh, which we distributed among the centres to ensure food availability in different locations.

However, as we worked tirelessly, COVID-19 struck my family. My husband and I both contracted the virus. Despite being unwell, I continued managing our relief efforts. The most touching part was that the very system we had built came to our aid—every day, I received meals from the initiative we had started. Reflecting on that time fills me with emotion. It was a difficult period, but helping others gave me a deep sense of purpose. Even today, I remain grateful for the people who supported our mission. The bonds we formed during that time remain strong, and the impact we made continues to inspire me.

Our NGO work is not a daily task, especially in winter. When I am not engaged in social work, Khyaal keeps me active. I love playing Tambola so much that I sometimes postpone my 3 p.m. classes to participate in it! I also enjoy morning meditation sessions and truly cherish being part of the Khyaal community.

For me, plants are like my children. My love for nature and small initiative has given meaning to my life and truly enriched it. Through all my experiences, I have learned that giving back to the community, protecting nature, and maintaining a positive mindset are the true secrets to happiness. When we care for the environment, we are not just planting trees, we are planting hope, positivity, and a better future for generations to come.

My advice to fellow seniors is: Every small effort counts. Together, we can make the world a greener place!” - Payal Dawar (Khyaal Community Member)