Sisters of the Trees

Among the arid lands of Rajasthan, surrounded by marble mines, there is an oasis: a small town called Piplantri, where women are no longer afraid of giving birth to a girl. Since 2005, every time a girl is born in Piplantri, 111 trees are planted in her name to celebrate the occasion. A man named Shyam Sunder Paliwal lost a 16-year-old daughter and decided to plant a tree in his memory. In her pain, he could not believe that sometimes people could end their own daughter's life, just for economic reasons. Then he realized that trees should be planted not to commemorate death, but to celebrate the lives of all girls. That's how the idea was born: he convinced the villagers, one at a time, that the basis of a bright future was to grow trees, take care of water and educate girls. "Sisters of the trees" intimately portrays the life of the women of Piplantri, the positive changes and also the challenges they face. Brave women like Kala, who is the ally of Shyam Sunder Paliwal, gave the example of empowerment by showing that it is possible to work outside their home and earn their own income. O Bhavari, a strong and cheerful woman in her forties, who couldn't finish primary school, but is raising her daughter Nikita supporting her education and her dream of becoming a doctor someday. Or Leela, a young mother who is planting trees in the name of her newborn girl and with this simple gesture, opening a range of possibilities for her future. They are the daily stories of a project that has already changed their lives forever.