RAKESH: LOVER OF FLORA AND FAUNA
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| Rakesh, ‘Saindhavam’, Madavoor, Kilimanoor, Thiruvananthapuram |
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It is not difficult to locate ‘Saindhavam’, the house of Rakesh at Madavoor, Kilimanoor, Thiruvananthapuram. The gate made of bullock-cart wheels makes the house conspicuous.
The peculiarities of the plot and house begin from the gate. It was 5 years ago that Rakesh bought the almost barren and undulating terrain. Today the plot is a collection of trees and herbs and a veritable forest. In the words of Rakesh, it has almost all the trees except the one that produces ‘kunthirikkam’ resin.
From a young age he was fond of flora. Once he purchased the land, he grew various trees and herbs in it. These include the tree that gives the fruit, which is an alternative to soap, Thetti Narakam used in the treatment of venoms, Pathimukham, Rakthachandanam etc. While some saplings were collected from the forest, the ‘rudraksham’ tree was brought from Agriculture College at Thrissur.
His method of cultivation is without using the spade or pickaxe. He plucks the common weeds by the root before their flowering, and uses them as mulch for the coconut trees.
Fauna too have a place in the life of this 38-year-old. Monkeys, white owl, eagle etc have a place in ‘Saindhavam’. Perhaps because of the trust they feel in his presence, little birds build their nests in his home and farm.
He has devised scheme to harvest rainwater. Antiques find a place in the house. These include gramaphone, lantern, old stamps and coins, the armaments used by his father in the first Indo-Pak war etc.
He does take up gardening works. At present he is executing a contact to build a garden for Rs. 3 lakhs.
Apart from the gate, the windows are also made of bullock-cart wheels. He is looking for another wheel to make a dining table!
Rakesh near the gate
Courtesy: George Varghese, Malayala Manorama, December 21, 2002
Contributed by: Administrator
