There’s an interesting tradition at the Indian School of Business. The employees get to plant a sampling once they complete five years of service with the organisation. Same is the case once they complete 10 years. ISB itself has completed 15 years, and the employees who have been with the company since inception have all planted saplings. And interestingly, each sapling bears the name of the person who planted it, has also the date on which they completed the benchmark tenure.
“Every year, on December 2, the foundation day of ISB, all the employees who have finished a certain tenure plant the sapling. It’s a fun activity, where their families are involved too. We try to make the day memorable,” shares Varshaa Ratnaparke, the associate director, marketing and communications.
The year 2016 saw 60 employees completing five, 10 and 15 years of service and there was a grand celebration as the trees were planted.
So far, more than 200 trees have been planted by employees over the years in both our Hyderabad and Mohali campuses,” reveals Varsha, adding, “But that’s just a conservative number because we do not quite have the exact figures. Other than employees, we’ve got several trees planted by dignitaries who visit our campuses. From ex-president Pratibha Patil to President Pranab Mukherjee, the list of guests who’ve added to our campus’ ecology is long.”
One wonders how the idea came about and whose brainchild it was. “The idea came about when a discussion came up as to how to make the anniversaries special for the employees here. This felt like an amazing way to honour their work and contribution,” says Varsha.
Sireesha Pandravada, who recently completed five years in the campus and planted her first sapling, shares her excitement as she says, “The experience was special. Now I know that irrespective of where I am, a few years down the line, this tree is going to be part of the campus and will carry my name forever along with it. It was great to share the moment with my family.”
