The Chhattisgarh Rajya Gramin Bank Retirees Association, North Bastar Kanker Unit, hosted a heartwarming and historic reunion that became a landmark moment as the first-ever “Hamaar Gaurav Samman” was conferred upon Dr. Rajaram Tripathi.
This newly instituted honour symbolizes the cultural pride and linguistic identity of Chhattisgarh, celebrating individuals whose lives embody dedication to the soil, language, and spirit of the state.
Along with Dr. Tripathi, Alakh Ram Sinha and Dr. Lakshminarayan Khobragade were also felicitated with a shawl, coconut, and memento in recognition of their valuable contributions.
The grand reunion brought together nearly 180 retired officers and employees of the erstwhile Bastar Kshetriya Gramin Bank (sponsored by the State Bank of India) and their families from across the state, creating an atmosphere filled with nostalgia and warmth.
Dr. Rajaram Tripathi: From Bank Officer to India’s “Green Warrior”
The event’s chief guest, Dr. Rajaram Tripathi, began his career as an officer in Bastar Kshetriya Gramin Bank but chose to leave his prestigious post over two decades ago to dedicate himself to organic farming, environmental conservation, and rural economic empowerment.
Today, he stands as the Founder and Chairperson of Maa Danteshwari Organic Herbal Farm and the Central Herbal Agro Marketing Federation of India (CHAMF). He also serves as a Member of the National Medicinal Plants Board, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, and on the Agricultural Machinery Committee of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
Dr. Tripathi is globally recognized for developing India’s high-yield black pepper variety, “Maa Danteshwari Black Pepper-16 (MDBP-16)”, which has revolutionized spice farming with four times higher productivity.
His innovative “Natural Greenhouse” model has emerged as an eco-friendly, low-cost alternative to plastic polyhouses, combining environmental sustainability with indigenous wisdom.
For his groundbreaking work, Dr. Tripathi has received several prestigious honours, including the Global Green Warrior Award, Earth Hero Award, Vibhuti Alankar, and Kabir Sahitya Samman.
In his address, Dr. Tripathi said, “My years in the bank taught me the values of discipline and dedication, which later became the foundation of my life’s mission. The bank gave me a family, and farming gave me an identity.”
He moved the audience by personally recognizing and addressing more than 50 of his seniors and former colleagues by name, reminiscing about shared memories and experiences. His emotional recall left everyone deeply touched.
Dr. Tripathi added that although he had received many awards in his life, “being honoured by the very institution where I once served is perhaps the most meaningful recognition of all.”
He also announced that he would soon host a special reunion for retirees at his Maa Danteshwari Herbal Farm in Chikhulpatti, Kondagaon.
Highlights and Key Announcements
During the event, retired AGM Satyendra Pandey announced that the next reunion would be held in Jagdalpur, while Assistant General Manager Amarjeet Singh Khanuja, who attended from Raipur, proposed organizing a similar event in Raipur later this year.
Additionally, Satyendra Kumar Pandey, Chitralekha Sahu, Kamlesh Kundan, Sanjay Dwivedi, Anup Tiwari, D.K. Dhruv, and Ramesh Singh were honoured as Special Guests for their outstanding contributions.
The Association’s General Secretary P.K. Raghav appealed to all retired members to actively support the bank’s growth by referring at least one housing loan case and assisting in mobilizing large loans and deposits. The proposal received unanimous approval from the gathering.
Music, Warmth, and Memories
The event radiated warmth and camaraderie, featuring several cultural and musical performances by family members.
Notably, Shipra Tripathi’s soulful rendition and Veethika Kar’s traditional folk performance drew loud applause from the audience.
The day-long programme, held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., included an elaborate arrangement of refreshments and lunch for all participants.
