While inaugurating the pilot project of the first ever household medicinal plants rearing in grow-bags initiated by the Centre for Innovation in Science and Social Action (CISSA) and the State Medicinal Plants Board – Kerala (SMPBK), Mayor Adv. V.K. Prasanth stated that the capital city still has an inherent beauty which is better appreciated by outsiders than its own inhabitants. Mayor recalled about the local body delegations from Bangalore and Jaipur who recently commended about the beauty still the city preserves. “I know that my remarks would invite stiff criticism, but cannot keep away from stating that cement pillars shouldering metro rail track can only blemish the city’s natural ambiance”, Mayor added. He wanted the metro rail to be limited to the peripheries of the city and substituted by an alternative transport network to establish connectivity between city’s peripheries and its centre.
CISSA’s an emulative step
The Mayor underlined that the household medicinal plants scheme launched by the CISSA is an emulative initiative which will help those who have started waste recycling at homes.
Decisions for the sake of the environment usually invites a spate of anguish from the society. “Yet the city corporation is committed to declare plastic free city on 26th of January. Imprinting hologram in plastic bags above 50 microns is also to be implemented strictly”, he said.
Councilor of Palayam Ward, Smt. Aisha Baker congratulated CISSA for providing practical experience of agriculture for the city residents. She said that majority of residents have an interest to practice organic farming, particularly to escape from the pesticide containing vegetables.Yet they don’t have enough wisdom to bring to practice their ambitions. “Here, CISSA is offering a priceless support through classes by eminent agriculture scientists”, she said recalling the training sessions handled by Dr. P. Sankarankutty, Dr. S. Rajasekharan, Dr. C.K. Peethambaran, Prof. P. Raghunath, and Dr. NG. Balachandranath.
Earlier, Mayor Adv. V.K. Prasanth inaugurated distribution of medicinal plant grow-bags by handing over one to a housewife named, Radhakumari.
While welcoming guests, Dr. C. Suresh Kumar, General Secretary of CISSA invited everyone’s attention to certain alarming statistics about the extent of lifestyle diseases in the State.
Shri. K. Radhakrishnan who is in charge of the CEO at SMPB-K, while offering felicitations, reiterated his institution’s resolve to remain close to people and bring the medicinal plant wisdom to the grassroots.
Shri. R. Rajan, Vice President of the Nandavanam Resident’s Association (NRA) extolled the cordial welcome he could enjoy while visiting CISSA, and the ready support it has provided to the NRA.
Shri. Anil Joy, Secretary of NRA proposed vote of thanks.
