Turmeric Garden in School

School students gather so much information about plants, trees, shrubs and grasses from textbooks. They learn about their medicinal, culinary or commercial value but seldom get to see them planted in a garden or watch them grow.  Turmeric (also called Yellow Gold) is one such spice that children learn from textbooks and also see it used in the kitchen for cooking or for cosmetic purposes at home. The world has appreciated the medicinal value of turmeric to treat abdominal diseases, skin diseases, antiseptic and anti-carcinogenic properties.

The teachers at Bharathamatha CMI Public School, Chandranagar in Palakad conducted a seminar for students on medicinal and cosmetic uses of turmeric. Students took up the cultivation and maintenance of turmeric plants as a classroom project. Small saplings were kept in the classrooms and in the first phase, 50 saplings were planted by children with the support of teachers.

Lakshmi Sree, Teacher of Bharathamatha School said that harvested turmeric will be used for the school canteen for preparation of dishes. Students enthusiastically nurture the plants by watering and applying manure which also gives them an opportunity to understand the diseases affecting them and possible cures for it.