For more than 20 years, this tamarind tree had been standing tall to shield children's play places and animals from motorists, for the villagers to enjoy time together in its shade, and for a relatively small number of additional purposes for community members.

 

People who were able to "hear" the "Goodbye Message from the Tamarind tree" responded to its final message "FREE HUG" and then visited to give and receive the goodbye hug in early July 2012, when the Tamarind tree was set to be cut down and would be replaced by a parking area for around half-a-car.