Hyderabad: Actor Sayaji Shinde has expressed his intention to share his initiative with Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, should he receive an appointment. Shinde believes that providing a plant along with prasad in temples would be a beneficial practice and mentioned that he is already engaged in this effort.
Shinde’s remarks came during the promotion of the upcoming film Maa Nanna Superhero, which stars Sudheer Babu in the lead role alongside Arna, with Shinde playing a key character. The film has completed shooting and is slated for release on October 11, coinciding with the Dussehra festival. As part of the promotional activities, Sudheer Babu, Shinde, and Arna participated in Bigg Boss Season 8.
During the event, Sudheer Babu highlighted Shinde’s dedication to planting trees whenever he spots an empty space, which intrigued host Nagarjuna. In response to Nagarjuna’s inquiry about his motivation, Shinde shared a poignant story:
“My mother passed away in 1997. When she was alive, I once expressed my sorrow, saying, ‘Mother, I have this much money, but I cannot bring you back to life. What can I do?’ I then promised her that I would take seeds equivalent to her weight and plant them all over India. The trees I plant will grow over time, providing shade, flowers, and fruits. Every time I see them, I remember my mother. After my mother, the earth mother also reminds me of her.
Typically, when people visit temples, they receive prasad. It would be good to give a plant along with the prasad. If devotees take it home and plant it, they can see the divine in it.”
Shinde mentioned that he has already implemented this practice in three temples in Maharashtra, distributing plants to approximately 100 to 200 individuals performing abhishekam (ritual bath). He expressed his intention to discuss this initiative with Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, emphasizing the importance of distributing plants as a form of God’s prasad.
“Plants should be distributed to everyone as God’s prasad. If they are planted, they will grow into trees, continuing to thrive for seven lifetimes,” Shinde stated. Nagarjuna praised Shinde for his thoughtful initiative, while Sudheer Babu added that Pawan Kalyan has a vast fan base who will likely bring this idea to his attention.