Nurturing Trees Nurturing Lives

In the campaign, the sapling is synonymous with a child who needs to be nurtured and protected against deadly diseases, just as the sapling needs to be watered and cared for to grow into a healthy tree. Over 500 educational institutions across the country will participate in the year-long campaign. Approximately 36,000 saplings are expected to be planted by youth and children who would pledge to spread awareness on routine immunisation (RI) and polio immunisation.

On the day of the launch, Raina joined United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Representative to India Louis-Georges Arsenault and a group of students in planting saplings on the grounds of the Hansraj College at Delhi University. Representatives from partners in the campaign, as well as government and academic personnel, were among those who addressed the students and also planted saplings with them.

According to organisers, youth participation is critical: "The youth have the potential to bring about a huge change. Their individual efforts will together make a big impact and help save lives of children," Raina said. Arsenault emphasises that, in conjunction with the involvement of youth and children, the campaign is mobilising parents across the country to ensure vaccination for their children.

Immunisation and Vaccines.

Nearly 1.6 million children under the age of 5 years die in India every year. A large number of these deaths can be prevented with vaccines. With India's progress against polio, the polio eradication programme priorities have shifted to addressing polio-associated risk factors to prevent poliovirus importation, such as boosting RI coverage.