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Kitchen gardens boost vegetable output in Kerala

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Thiruvananthapuram: Vegetable imports by Kerala have fallen steeply, thanks to a growing number of people whose kitchen gardens have boosted vegetable production in the state.

And Agriculture Minister K.P. Mohanan is beaming.

According to Mohanan, nearly 75 percent of all vegetables consumed now in Kerala are grown within the state — and in kitchen gardens.

Mohanan, who made the endeavour to boost vegetable production, told  that his aim was to ensure that this figure reaches 100 percent.

“Several factors have contributed to a substantial growth of the domestic vegetable production,” the minister said.

In 2012, the production of vegetables in Kerala was a mere 22 percent. This made the state heavily dependent on Karnataka and Tamil Nadu for daily vegetable supplies.

If there were traffic disruptions in the border regions of the two states, Kerala’s vegetable imports would suffer — immediately shooting up prices.

And so Mohanan decided to actively promote the concept of kitchen gardens in Kerala.

Even students and schools were roped in for this purpose.

Eventually, the habit of “growing and eating one’s own vegetables appears to have clicked”, the minister said.

Now the arrival of vegetables from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka has fallen to less than 400 trucks a day from over 750.

“Today, practically in every state-run school, there is a kitchen garden and it is tended to by students,” said Mohanan.

“Besides, we have set up biogas plants in 3,825 schools. Today, the vegetables grown in these schools are used in the mid-day meals. The waste generated is used to power the biogas plants,” he added.

Ninety percent of these embrace organic techniques.

“We are confident that more and more people will start kitchen gardens,” Mohanan added.

Congress president in Kerala, V.M. Sudheeran, is one of those who has a full-fledged kitchen garden at his home.

And he is telling everyone in his constituency to follow suit.

Marxist leader Pinarayi Vijayan too feels that people in Kerala should grow their own vegetables.

Cardiac specialist A. Haris told IANS: “Seventy percent of the vegetables we consume in our home are from our kitchen garden, set up on our terrace.”

Haris, who spares half an hour daily for the garden, produces cauliflower, cabbage, beans, tomatoes, chilly, ladies’ finger and brinjal. “Now I am trying to grow beetroot too.

“If more and more people take up kitchen gardens, not only will we get fresh vegetables but consume organically grown vegetables too,” he added.

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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

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