Joginapally Santosh Kumar, the TRS leader and Rajya Sabha member, has come in for appreciation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a letter to Kumar, the PM applauded him for taking up the Green India Challenge.

Describing it as an endeavour to plant saplings and increase the green cover across the country, Modi called the GIC a noble initiative to preserve a cleaner and greener environment. The PM wrote, "We have always nurtured peaceful co-existence and harmony with nature. The inherent love and respect for nature have been an integral part of our heritage."

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Modi said that a series of decisions such as increasing the share of renewable sources of energy (such as solar energy) have been taken by his government.

"It is the individual and collective responsibility of every citizen to leave behind a green footprint for posterity. Endeavours like Green India Challenge can succeed only through people's participation," he added.

Sharing the letter, Santosh Kumar wrote, "What a way to start the day Sir! Immense pleasure to have your kind words for #GreenIndiaChallenge and your valuable message for #VrikshaVedam. This adds sanctity to the cause. It would be great if you could kindly participate in #GIC to take a giant leap in India & world over (sic)."