The Hinduja Family Champions Environmental Stewardship Through Bonsai Art

Harsha Hinduja, President of the India Friendship Bonsai Society (IFBS) and Trustee of the esteemed Hinduja Foundation, along with Urvashi Thacker, Vice President of the India Friendship Bonsai Society, partnered with Jamnabai Narsee School to launch the much-anticipated "Bonsai Bonanza" exhibition on March 22nd, 2024. As the wife of prominent business leader Ashok Hinduja, Harsha Hinduja used this event to promote environmental harmony and inspire a deeper connection between humanity and nature.

At the heart of her message was the importance of fostering environmental awareness through holistic education. Harsha Hinduja emphasized the urgent need for collective efforts to protect our planet's ecosystems and championed sustainability through the art of Bonsai, encouraging thoughtful use of natural resources.

The event drew an illustrious crowd, including celebrated actress Rakul Preet Singh Bhagnani, who served as the chief guest, and renowned Indian potter Padma Shri B. R. Pandit. Members of the Hinduja family, including Ashok Hinduja, Prakash Hinduja (Chairman, Hinduja Group - Europe), Sanjay Hinduja (Chairman, Gulf Oil International), and Shom Hinduja (President of Alternative Energy and Sustainability Initiatives), were also in attendance to show their support for the cause.

Reflecting on the significance of Bonsai, Harsha Hinduja expressed her gratitude and passion for the art, saying, "Enthusiasm, passion and dedication are the pillars of practicing the Bonsai art. I encourage all of you to take up this activity and see for yourself how your world changes and your hobby becomes your innate passion. Ikebana, Bonsai and Gardening are like the Triumvirate – 3 paths emerging from and converging on the same source “Mother Nature”. This Triumvirate has many inherent life lessons which open up to us with regular practice – Teamwork, Patience, Aspiration to give expression to the best in us, commitment to action, present moment awareness, reflection which brings clarity and in review which leads to growth. Connecting with Mother Nature helps us build an attitude of gratitude towards her. It is a beautiful spiritual practice that we all should inculcate especially in today’s times where mental health upkeep is as important as physical health."

On this launch, Mr. Prakash Hinduja, Chairman of the Hinduja Group, Europe, stated, "As we navigate the challenges of modern times, it is essential to reconnect with nature in meaningful ways. Bonsai art is a testament to the patience, care, and respect we must show towards our environment. Initiatives like the 'Bonsai Bonanza' inspire us to nurture our planet, one small yet profound act at a time. I commend the India Friendship Bonsai Society and Harsha Hinduja for championing this cause with such passion and dedication."

Chief guest Rakul Preet Singh Bhagnani, brand ambassador for Telangana’s Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao programme, shared her admiration for the exhibition and Bonsai art, saying, “I am coming back to the school after so many years, it’s so nice to see the kids performing and with so much energy early morning. This cause is so beautiful and congratulations to all of you for completing two decades. It’s amazing that you have this event annually and there is so much to learn and ponder upon.”

Urvashi Thacker, Vice President of the India Friendship Bonsai Society, praised Harsha Hinduja’s leadership and commitment, adding, “Bonsai and Ikebana are the twin green corridors of the cultural highway between India and Japan. The presence of Rakul Preet inspires youngsters to take them up as hobbies and build ecological sensitivity in them. I would like to thank and appreciate our President Harsha Hinduja for promoting the art of Bonsai. She has always been encouraging and her dignity, simplicity and dedication is commendable. The Hinduja family has always stood with us for this noble cause.”

The India Friendship Bonsai Society, founded in 2003, has been at the forefront of promoting environmental stewardship and nurturing a love for plants. Celebrating two decades of dedicated service in 2023, the society continues to inspire a commitment to preserving nature. Under Harsha Hinduja’s visionary leadership, the "Bonsai Bonanza" promises to deliver a memorable experience that highlights the importance of protecting our natural world and fostering a harmonious relationship with the environment.