Certainly! Here a profile article on Mr. V. P. Rao in English, written in a warm, engaging, and narrative-driven style suitable for publication:
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Mr. V. P. Rao: A Civil Servant with Roots in Green
When one imagines the life of a civil servant, it often evokes images of files, formal meetings, and administrative decisions. But some individuals go far beyond these boundaries—leaving behind not just policies, but living legacies. Mr. V. P. Rao, a retired IAS officer from the AGMUT cadre, is one such individual whose identity is not limited to that of an administrator. He is also known as a champion of greenery, a community mobilizer, and a passionate environmentalist.
Planting the First Seed
Mr. Rao relationship with the environment began not after retirement, but at the very start of his career. During his early posting at the Department of Sales Tax (now GST) at ITO, Delhi, he began planting saplings—a seemingly simple act that would go on to define his life mission.
His commitment to greening extended to his living spaces. While residing at 4-Battery Lane in Civil Lines and later at 10-Rajpur Road, he initiated local plantation and cleanliness drives. With the support of fellow residents and morning walkers, he helped transform parts of the Kamla Nehru Ridge Area into greener, cleaner public spaces. He worked closely with the Ministry of Urban Development to allocate dedicated spots for feeding birds and monkeys, blending ecological awareness with urban compassion.
Greening Every Role
Throughout his administrative career, Mr. Rao carried his green philosophy into every department he served. In the Department of Prevention of Food Adulteration and Municipal Corporation-run primary schools, he treated every vacant piece of land as an opportunity to plant and nurture.
To him, environmental responsibility was not an extra duty—it was a daily habit, an ethos. Many of the large trees still standing in office complexes and school grounds across Delhi owe their existence to his early efforts.
The Woods: A New Chapter Post-Retirement
After retirement, Mr. Rao moved to the Commonwealth Games Village (CWGV) and continued his mission with undeterred energy. He founded a residents society called THE WOODS, which became a structured platform for his environmental efforts. The society began its activities on 10th September 2018 and was officially registered on 27th February 2019, later receiving 12AA and 80G tax exemptions—further validating its charitable and public-focused work.
One of the society most outstanding achievements has been the transformation of a 20-acre dumping ground, previously used for construction and demolition waste, into a lush, thriving green space now known as the CWGV Urban Biodiversity Forest (CWGV Greens). In just four years, this wasteland turned into an urban forest home to more than 100 species of plants, over 50 varieties of birds, and a flourishing population of insects and reptiles.
Inspiring the Next Generation
What makes Mr. Rao work particularly impactful is his ability to involve the community—especially children. Through nature walks, seed ball making, and plantation drives, he inspired young minds to care for the environment and take ownership of their shared spaces.
His work is not just about planting trees—it is about planting values, awareness, and a sense of collective responsibility.
A Legacy That Grows with Every Tree
Today, many of Delhi green corners—whether in office complexes, schools, or ridge areas—stand as living monuments to Mr. Rao vision. His belief in “Clean Delhi, Green Delhi” was not merely a slogan, but the driving force of his life.
He showed that even in a fast-paced urban landscape, meaningful environmental change is possible—if one has the will to begin.
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"Clean Delhi, Green Delhi" — not just a mission, but the story of his life "