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DINE WITH METROPLUS

Born with green fingers

Ravindra Babu and Triveni have embarked on a mission to usher in greenery in their own small way. Ramesh Susarla finds out more

MISSIONARY ZEAL The couple is obsessed with educating people on the boons of greenery

Donning the role of a vigilant officer to protect environment in the region he belongs to, was a dream assignment for this native of Chilumuru, a small habitation near Tenali surrounded by greenery.

Known as a place where the first residential college was set up in the country - Srirama Rural Kalasala in 1949, Chilumuru is the place where Dhulipudi Ravindra Babu, the regional environmental engineer, spent dreaming of turning the world green. It was not until he spent a few years in Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board that he understood the magnitude of the damage that the mankind is inflicting on the environment.

Unwinding himself amidst the cool environs of Hotel Geetha Regency in Guntur, Ravindra Babu and his better half Triveni, came across as champions of a social cause- environment protection. Hailing from a family of generous people in Veeravasaram near Bhimavaram, Triveni firmly believes that bringing about a positive change in people's mindset is the only way to stop the dangerous trend of environmental degradation.

Strictly adhering to the principle of `practice what you preach', she tries not to use plastic, sticks to ayurvedic way of preparing food and makes use of only homeo medicines. Ravindra Babu is also wedded to his profession and keeps himself busy in research works or in-depth study into issues related to the day-to-day life. A down-to-earth person, he believes that environmentalists are doctors, architects, and engineers - all rolled into one.

Pristine beauty

A chemical engineer from S.V. University and an M. Tech from Chennai, he wants every citizen to remain alive to his surroundings and initiate small preventive steps to revive the pristine beauty of the nature. An NCC cadet during college days, he attributes the disciplined life he leads to the training he received then.

His day begins with a walk in the Eco Park developed between Shyamalanagar and Nallapadu by the Railways. According to him, it is one of the best institutional efforts in Guntur towards greening the region.

Television is a taboo in their house, as the couple views it as an `idiot box', quite literally at that. Their daughter, Akhila, is in her junior Intermediate while son, Krishna Chaitanya, is in eighth standard. "We never miss TV programmes since we enjoy better entertainment in the form of family outings on weekends," says Akhila. Mega Star Chiru is the favourite of the entire family and they never miss any of his movies

A vegetarian food lover, Ravindranath Babu likes stuffed brinjal curry prepared at home by Triveni. Chaitanya is a cricket buff and his Sundays are never complete without playing the game.

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