Environmental Awareness: Interactive Programme (12th December 2008)

On the occasion of Guru Dattatreya Jayanti, an Interactive Environment Awareness programme was organized at Siddhaloka for students and teachers of nearby rural schools. Around 100 students from three High Schools of Bachenahatti,  Motaganahalli and T.G. Halli attended the function. The gathering was first addressed by Param Poojya Sri Gurudev  Swami Chetanananda Saraswati. This was followed by a short field trip by Mrs. Suma Tagadur of the FRLHT (Foundation for Rejuvenation of Local Health Traditions). She then conducted an interactive session with the children regarding important medicinal plants commonly found in their neighbourhood.

Thereafter, Dr. Shyamsundar Joshi and Dr. (Mrs.) Shanta Joshi of the Gandhi Krishi Vigyan Kendra (Bangalore Agricultural University) gave a lively lecture-demonstration on the multifarious benefits of the ‘Simarouba’ tree. The children were very impressed by the utility of the tree for various commercial and medicinal purposes, as well as its sturdy nature and ability to grow in harsh environmental conditions. The juice of Simarouba fruits was served to the entire gathering. Dr. Joshi also demonstrated plantation of the Simarouba sapling to the children and later gave saplings to each school.

Siddha Shree Prathap Kumar facilitated the guests and presented them mementoes on behalf of Siddha Yoga Dham.

After lunch, the children were asked to sketch a blueprint of their school, including their plans for locating various beneficial trees and plants in and around the school campus. The students came up with very interesting ideas which they presented to the gathering. Mrs. Suma then explained educational software tools developed at FRLHT to identify and record various medicinal plants commonly available in and around Bangalore. The students were then taken around the Siddhaloka nursery and environs, giving them a practical feel to the day’s discussions.

All these programmes on environmental awareness and the success achieved by drawing the minds of the young students towards conservation and protection of nature gave the inspiration to Siddha Yoga Dham to conceive the creation of a ‘Sacred Forest’ around Siddhaloka.