CTMR organized a one day training programme for the Field staff of the Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems, a well known Voluntary organization working with farmers on preserving native varieties of Paddy, Other Grains, Vegetables and also promoting research in Organic farming. The Small Group of Staff from Sirkazhi, Cukkan kollai, Chengalpattu and Chendurai in Dindigul took part.
The Session started with a presentation on locally available biological resource particularly medicinal plants and its utility by Vd.S.Usman Ali- Director CTMR. He explained the use of 35 species of medicinal plants which are common throughout Tamilnadu and have great value. As he explained the trainees felt, that they have missed out on using these plants for such a wide spectrum of conditions. Dr.S.Rajkumar explained the need to follow the daily regimen and seasonal regimen mentioned in Indian Traditional Health Sciences and said most of the suggestions are simple to practice. He further elaborated on the most common ailments that afflicts rural households and suggested simple remedies that could be prepared at home if the common plants suggested by Vd.S.Usman Ali were grown as Home herbal gardens.
This session was followed by a field visit to the plots in which 100 varieties of Paddy or Grown and Mr.K.Subramanian and Mr.Pandeeswaran of CIKS explained the key features of each of them. It was an awesome experience. After a delicious lunch with organically grown ingredients- Grains, vegetables, spices the afternoon session was on Managing Lifestyle disorders the traditional way- primarily Siddha approach and how the Volunteers should take it forward to the Farming community. Dr.T.Thirunarayanan, the speaker suggested that to promote these lifestyle interventions one need not be a physician.
Mrs. Sundaravalli listed out recipes that could help overcome diseases like allergy, Anemia,Asthma, Osteoarthritis, Obesity, renal stones etc.
Then there was an very interesting interactive session and a list of Medicinal plants for Home Herbal Garden was drawn along with a list of Plants that would be collected from the neighbourhood. Mr.Pandeeswaran assured to develop nursery of the 18 Species suggested to be distributed to farmers and Mr. K.Subramanian suggested taking this forward to the Community in Jawadhu hills and Natham region.
