Ludhiana cop with green thumb
Inspector Suresh Kumar of the Police Commissionerate Ludhiana is an ardent lover of bonsai, the Japanese art of growing and preserving miniature trees, and his green passion is now 35 years old.
Despite his hectic job schedule, Suresh manages to spare time for his bonsai trees, which he nurtures like children. He not only develops bonsai trees in his garden at his Raman Enclave house, but also helps others learn bonsai techniques.
The cop has also earned accolades for his passion. He has won the first prize in the Punjab Agricultural University bonsai exhibition from 2015 to 2019 and from 2022 to 2025 by defeating participants from all over Punjab.
Speaking about beginning of his passion, Suresh said, “Some 35 years ago I visited Manali, where I met a bonsai grower who had cultivated a variety of miniature trees on a small patch of land at his home. After returning, I decided to grow bonsai trees in my garden.”
Bonsai shrubs are kept small in size by growing these in little pots followed with regular pruning as they grow. Showing his lush green bonsai garden, Suresh reveals special rocks were bought from Gujarat to grow these plants on.
“I started developing a bonsai garden on a piece of land opposite to my house. Now, I have 50 types of over 250 bonsai trees. I daily spare two hours in the morning and evening on my hobby,” he says.
Suresh proudly shows the miniature trees, including Celtis, Chinese Elm, Premna microphyalla, Adansonia digitata (Baobab), Juniper, Casuarina, Banyan, Peepal (Ficus religiosa), Pilkhan (Ficus Virens), Jungle Jalebi, Tiger Bark ficus, Jade, Brazilian Rain tree, Fukien Tea, Weeping Willow, Bougainvillaea, etc. All these trees have been shaped in different styles like formal, informal, upright, slanted, windswept, cascading, multi-trunk, forest and broom.
“My first potted bonsai tree Pilkhan (Ficus virens) is now 35-year-old. Many people dream of planting big trees near their houses, but due to the scarcity of space they are unable to follow their passion. I have now started educating people on bonsai tree cultivation at home in a very small space, thereby also helping them contribute to the cause of environment,” says the cop. Suresh has also won the President’s Medal for meritorious services on Republic Day in 2016.
Suresh believes that bonsai is mix of science and art and requires skill, passion and patience.
He says that a bonsai plants needs water, fertiliser and regular track of their growth and trimming to shape them as beautiful trees, which is one of the main attractions of bonsai.
Suresh has got Director General of Police Commendation Disc in 2011, 2017, 2022 and 2023 and the Chief Minister’s Medal in 2023. The cop who has more than 200 commendation certificates says after his hectic job routine, he spends his free time at home cultivating bonsai trees.
He believes bonsai produces positive vibes and attracts good luck and prosperity, besides helping overcome anxiety. Busting the myth that bonsai is not good as per Vastu, he feels since the day he has taken up bonsai as hobby he is more at peace.
“For me, each bonsai tree is like my green child. School children, teachers and even students from PAU frequently visit me to understand the art of bonsai,” he adds.
Suresh asserts that people also come to his garden and offer huge price for bonsai trees, but he politely turn down their request as he treats trees like his family and these are invaluable to him.
The cop also boasts of having over two dozen varieties of bougainvillea plants with each plant producing different colours of flowers.
Punjab