Dr Tejaswi HJ, a doctor in Karnataka’s Hassan district, has turned the weed-infested land surrounding a government hospital in Karle village into a thriving mini-forest with over 1,500 plants and fruit-bearing trees.
A doctor arrived in 2021, bearing not just his medical expertise but a seed of change to the quietude of Karle village in Karnataka’s Hassan district. Dr Tejaswi HJ, armed with a sapling, embarked on a journey of green revolution that would transform the barren land surrounding the government hospital into a thriving oasis of life.
Today, this three-acre canvas boasts over 1,500 plants and trees, a testament to nature’s resilience. Among them, over a third bear the sweet promise of fruit, a gesture of abundance and nourishment. From apples to oranges, from jackfruit to jamun, the soil of Karle bears the fruits of Tejaswi’s vision.
His choice of fruit-bearing trees was no happenstance. It was a conscious act.
“My belief is that if you’re planting a tree, why not choose a fruit-bearing one that can be beneficial to many, especially in a hospital?” Tejaswi contemplated, articulating a profound sense of purpose.
Tejaswi’s journey is a fine example of his unwavering commitment to his roots. Raised by a single mother who made ends meet by tending to cows and selling milk after the death of his father when he was three, he could have chosen the comfort of urban life like many of his peers. Yet, his heart beckoned him back to Hassan, his hometown.
“I could have settled down in Bengaluru, but I wanted to serve my hometown,” he said.
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In 2019, fate brought him and his gynaecologist wife to the humble village of Mosale Hosahalli, where she was posted. They joined the local hospital, a place fraught with potential but marred by neglect. Driven by a desire to breathe life into this institution, he embarked on a journey of transformation.
“I started growing fruits and vegetables on the land around,” he recalled.
The bounty was shared with the staff and patients, a gesture of care and compassion. Scepticism soon gave way to enthusiasm, and the hospital’s efforts were recognised with the prestigious Kayakalpa Award by the Ministry of Health and Family Affairs.
Yet, as he nurtured dreams of expansion, destiny took an unexpected turn. The permanent position he had aspired to was filled, and his contract ended abruptly. “I was so heartbroken that I cried that day,” he admitted.
But words of wisdom from a senior doctor, remind him that no one is permanent, offering solace. His time at that hospital had ended, but his mission continued.
Karle Hospital awaited him in 2021, a year that brought with it the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. It was here that Tejaswi faced not just primitive facilities but a place run on sheer determination amidst remote isolation.
The land surrounding the hospital was a barren canvas, overrun by “weeds, snakes, and whatnot”. Drawing upon his experience, Tejaswi began the arduous task of transformation. Weeks of dedicated effort saw the land cleared. “I took it as a challenge and personally cut the grass. It took over four weeks to clear the land,” he said.
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Since his college days at Hassan Medical College and elsewhere, Tejasvi has always been active in various social service activities. With the blessings of the forest department and the support of local organisations, he acquired saplings and secured the funds required to dig pits for planting. His vision began to take shape as he planted fruit-bearing trees, nurtured by his unwavering dedication.
Of the 1,500 trees and plants that now grace this landscape, around 300 are Ayurvedic and medicinal herbs. The Miyawaki method, which ushers in a dense forest within a short span, finds its place here. The yield, a gesture of abundance, continues to be shared with the hospital’s staff and patients.
Caring for this mini-forest has become a labour of love, with Tejaswi appointing a local caretaker from his own resources. It has become a playground for peacocks, hares and other animals, creating a thriving ecosystem.
Inside the hospital, conditions have improved, boasting new facilities like daycare and ECG services that were once absent. Karle Hospital stands proudly among the top three hospitals in the district under the Kayakalpa programme, a testament to its doctor’s commitment.
His dreams, however, extend far beyond the bounds of Karle. He envisions a nursery dedicated to fruit-bearing trees, a source of saplings for the entire region.
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He’s already supplied hundreds of plants to nearby primary healthcare centres with the help of a trust. He wants to see an orchard around every hospital.
In his own words, Tejaswi has evolved into a “farmer-cum-doctor”, armed with a wealth of knowledge about what works and what doesn’t. His message to all is simple: instead of massive plantation drives, invest in fruit-bearing trees. “You don’t have to plant 1000 plants. Plant only 10, but take care of them well.”
In a country grappling with malnutrition, particularly among children, the community-led effort to plant and care for fruit-bearing trees holds the promise of change. Tejaswi’s journey is a reminder that while failure may occasionally mark the path, within it lies the invaluable lesson of the ability to bounce back and the enduring power of hope. “We need to keep trying,” he said.
The lead image at the top shows the transformed barren land surrounding the government hospital (Photo by Dr. Tejaswi HJ)
Amulya B is a multimedia journalist, writer and translator based in Bengaluru. Her stories explore the intersection of culture, society and technology. She is the winner of Toto Funds the Arts for creative writing and Laadli Award. She is a Rural Media Fellow 2022 at Youth Hub, Village Square.
