FESTIVAL OF PLANTS AND FLOWERS INAUGURATED The MLA of Siolim and Minister for Agriculture,Shri Dayanand Mandrekar,inaugurated the 12th annual Festival of Plants and Flowers at SFX School , Siolim. Dr.R.G.Joshi(Director of Agriculture) Fr.Paul Sagayam,MSFS(Principal,SFX School,Siolim) , Diogo Pinto (Co-ordinator,Green Heritage Eco Club), Robert D'Mello (HSS Section Club Co-ordinator),Alexyx Fernandes(father of the Festival of Plants & Flowers),Miguel Braganza and Lumina Lobo, Olavio Fernandes(Zonal Agricultural Officer,Mapusa),representatives of various schools participating in the festival and other plant lovers were present in large numbers for the inaugural function and prize distribution at the school . The theme for the event from this year is Coconut. The competitions were held earlier, from 09.00 A.M. to 11.00 A.M., on the same day in the following events: COCO DECO: > Fresh/dry arrangements were made on the spot by more than 40 students from various schools with coconut flowers,spathes,webbing,leaves and garden flowers. One such arrangement with a solitary rose in a coconut was named after Goa's famous singer: Alfred Rose. > COCO CRAFT: > Artifacts and curios of coconut shell,nuts,copra,spathes,webbing,peduncle,leaf, etc. were made by almot 70 students. An ant made from coconut husk and pedicels(fruit stalks) and three tortoises made out of dry copra taking advantage of the brown testa(seet coat) and the natural oily texture of the copra draw ones attention. On dispaly are bio-degradable pots made of coir with 5% natural rubber as adhesive. These pots are made in the Philippines by Coco Technologies Corporation and marketed in Europe by A.Solakidis & Bros. [EMAIL PROTECTED] under the trade mark of COCO GREEN. This porous pot that allows the roots to grow through it is ideal for raising seedlings of trees by Forest Department and other plant nurseries. We could replace plastic polybags now used for raising plants and also encourage local coconut based industry for exports. Vijaydutt Lotlikar,who holds the record for the tallest artefact/lamp made out of coconut shell ( Limca Book of Records) has his artefacts on display and sale.The techniques are explained in the book on Coconut available at the venue for just Rs.20/- COCO LOCO: Fancy dress/Fashion show for students upto Std.IV had 14 participants dressed as beauties in coconut from the Carribean and singing Henry Belafonte's song on coconut water to Africa and Goa and reciting a verse composed by the enthusiatic parent or teacher. One composition in Konkani went thus," Maadachi topi,maadachem suit; Chutechem bangar ani sohnnache boot" and the contestant was dressed with a hat and skirt suit made of leaf webbing[pistori],with ear-rings made of coconut leaflets and shoes made of coconut husk. Even the Minister picked up for his speech the message of the Tiny tot which went thus,"When you are thirsty drink healthy Coconut water,not Pestide-Cola" In the HSS (Std.XI & XII)section, the absence of Carmel HSS "Kalpavriksha" group students [due to their exam schedule] was felt as there were just two contestants. The Carmelites are past masters of Coco fashion as coconut is their tree of choice for annual activities. of both genders. Dress ( inclusive of a hat/headgear)had to be primarily made of coconut leaves,webbing,fibre/ropes,petiole strips,etc.Little Miss Dipti Mestri and Lisa Macedo[both of St. Anne's Blooming Buds,Tivim] and Shubam Desai of St.Britto HS,Mapusa, walked away with the top honours COCO PICO: Painting/Poster competition of themes that include coconut tree/nuts as a prominent feature.Some of the students produced excellent posters with appropriate slogans in just under two hours allotted to them. COCO DELIGHT: Cooking/Baking contest (for students and adults) of sweets ,savouries,puddings,cakes,batika,bolinhas,etc containing not less than 60%(by weight/volume) coconut kernel,juice and/or jaggery. These items are to be prepared at home.Altough all entries were judged in one open category, all the prizes went to three boys.Out of this ,two boys were from the vocational course in" Bakery and Confectionary" at St.Xavier's HSS,Mapusa. They were so enthusiatic that were ready to even bring their ovens and stoves to the school and demonstrate their culinary art. It must have been a proud day for their equally enthusiatic teachers,Ingrid D'Souza and Lorraine D'Costa. It was a nightmare for the judges with 68 entries to judge from,but for the rest of us it was truly a Coco delight !! POTTED PLANTS: There was a tremendous response for the traditional competition in potted flowering,ornamental,vegetable,spice,fruit and medicinal plants from the students . The absence of Saraswat Vidyalaya HS,Mapusa,[ the winner of the Rolling trophy for highest number of potted plants for three years in a row] was made up by a groundswell from the other schools.Sacred Heart HS,Parra, took away the new Rolling Trophy,also crafted from Coconut shell. We hope to have Saraswat back next year. Prizes were given at the inaugural function itself. Memento/Trophies have been specially designed and produced by ArtSpace,Mapusa, [EMAIL PROTECTED] for the event this year. There stalls run by our consistant collaborators,viz Zonal Agriculture Office-Mapusa,Garden Glory-Panaji andVikas Nursery-Dhargal.Mr.Farmer-Guirim,Konkan Cordage(Eappen)-Siolim and Parisat Nursery-Chopdem selling plants,seeds,garden inputs,equipment,books and tender coconuts.You can buy door mats,shell items including curios, ladles,spoons and forks from Eappen's stall that is appropriately re-named as COCO TOTO.He is even handling the Coco cart selling tender coconut water and jelly. A book,( the fourth in the Green Aid series) entitled " All you wanted to know about COCONUT but did not know where to find" was released at the inaugural function at the hands of Honourable Minister for Agriculture and local MLA,Shri Dayanand Mandrekar. The book contains information on the Eriophyid mite that is causing havoc in Goa's coconut plantations right now, recommendations of the Directorate of Agriculture(Goa), ICAR Institutes like CPCRI and State Agriculture Universities in Kerala,Tamil Nadu and Karnataka (where this problem began earlier) and the Coconut Development Board on the management of the mite problem. It also has the latest information on the health value of Lauric acid present in coconut oil and why it is a healthier oil for fried foods,snack and confectionary. The book is edited by Miguel Braganza,who has recently served on the Editorial Board for a 'Resource Book' for the Rice-Wheat Consortium of CIMMYT and has been a part of the Green Heritage movement for the last 12 years. The cover design and illustrations are by the one and only,Alexyz. The festival will continue till Monday,25 August. The timings are 10.00 A.M. to 5.00 P.M. Miguel Braganza --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. 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