ORGANIC FarmVille - 2016
Continuing the legacy forward, Shishyaa organised the annual feature 'Organic Farmville', where we connect children to nature. Knowing, doing, feeling and respecting are the aspects that underpin this event. Respect for food is fundamental in today's time of excess amongst a certain section of society. It is only through involvement and awareness that we can mould the mindset of our young and budding youth.
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Beginning with rice transplantation, children got into paddy fields and experienced the slush under their feet. Gently extracting the paddy and replanting it in the new wet farm was a unique experience for them. The joy of squishing around and playing with the wet and slippery soil was the bonus :-)
They also planted corn seed and later saw the ways in which rice is used in our day to day food. The different kinds of rice and its usages was very intriguing to the children. This was followed with a 'Kheer making' and 'butta roasting' activity where they participated in making the food items and also eating it. Kheer is the Indian sweet porridge, a delicacy served on special days and occasions. Butta is our good old corn, roasted and then topped up with dry grounded spices and a dash of lemon.
And to complete this farm day experience, were the farm animals who made this whole experience special for the children. A pair of a cow and its calf, a goat, a couple of hens and a horse kept the children engaged for a long time. The children enjoyed touching and petting them, and even mounted on the horse who seemed to be very accepting.
All in all, it was a memorable day for all the children who left sufficiently enriched by this experience.
The event ended with a informative talk on organic farming by Mr. Uday Kolwankar, a farmer by passion.
This year we had the Youth wing of the Rotary Club, Ghatkopar - the ROTARACT Club, volunteer to help us execute the event. Many thanks and good wishes to the enthusiastic team presided by Ms. Suruchi Mehta.
They also planted corn seed and later saw the ways in which rice is used in our day to day food. The different kinds of rice and its usages was very intriguing to the children. This was followed with a 'Kheer making' and 'butta roasting' activity where they participated in making the food items and also eating it. Kheer is the Indian sweet porridge, a delicacy served on special days and occasions. Butta is our good old corn, roasted and then topped up with dry grounded spices and a dash of lemon.
And to complete this farm day experience, were the farm animals who made this whole experience special for the children. A pair of a cow and its calf, a goat, a couple of hens and a horse kept the children engaged for a long time. The children enjoyed touching and petting them, and even mounted on the horse who seemed to be very accepting.
All in all, it was a memorable day for all the children who left sufficiently enriched by this experience.
The event ended with a informative talk on organic farming by Mr. Uday Kolwankar, a farmer by passion.
This year we had the Youth wing of the Rotary Club, Ghatkopar - the ROTARACT Club, volunteer to help us execute the event. Many thanks and good wishes to the enthusiastic team presided by Ms. Suruchi Mehta.