In a moment of great pride for Shiv Janmabhoomi and the people of Junnar taluka, Shivneribhushan Ramesh Kharmale — a former soldier and dedicated social worker — has been invited by the President of India, Draupadi Murmu, to Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi on the occasion of Independence Day, August 15.
While the Kharmale family was engaged in a tree plantation drive at Oxygen Park, Vadaj, the Indian Post Office staff from Pune personally visited the site and handed over the official invitation letter from the President, expressing the nation's recognition and gratitude.
Who is Ramesh Kharmale?
Ramesh Kharmale, a man from Pune, is doing the rounds on social media after he was hailed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 123rd episode of his monthly radio show, Mann Ki Baat.
PM Modi shared the story of Ramesh Kharmale from Pune, who, along with his family, spends weekends rejuvenating the hills of Junnar—digging trenches, planting trees, and even building an Oxygen Park. His efforts have revived birdlife and wildlife in the region.
In the 123rd episode of Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Pune's Ramesh Kharmale used to go to Junnar's hills with his family, clear bushes, dig trenches to conserve water, and sow seeds. In just two months, he made 70 trenches, numerous ponds... He is also creating an Oxygen Park, and as a result, birds are returning, wildlife is getting rejuvenated..."
He is a 49-year-old ex-serviceman turned forest guard. He, along with his family, revived a hill in Junnar in Pune district.
Kharmale, from Khodad village in Junnar taluka, served in the Indian Army and retired in 2012. After retirement, he worked in a bank for two years, but he didn't find satisfaction in that job. Later, he started an academy in Junnar, through which many young people were successfully recruited into the Army. However, even there, he didn’t feel truly fulfilled. Eventually, he appeared for the Forest Department examination and began working as a Forest Guard, where he finally found his calling.
At Vadaj, a village near Junnar city, Ramesh Kharmale has created an Oxygen Park through active public participation. A wide variety of trees have been planted at the site, and in the coming years, as these trees grow, the area is expected to become a thriving hub of biodiversity.
Kharmale spends his time digging trenches on hillsides to catch rainwater. His wife, Swati, helps by removing unwanted weeds from old stepwells that date back to the time of Shivaji. Their children, Mayuresh and Vaishnavi, join in by dropping seeds into the newly dug pits. Together, the family is doing their part to fight climate change.
