For a pesticide-free Onasadya

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Follow us:WhatsappFacebookTwitterTelegram.cls-1{fill:#4d4d4d;}.cls-2{fill:#fff;}Google NewsWanna have an ‘Onasadya’ like in the olden times, with tasty rice and pesticide-free vegetables? The city-based NGO Thanal has made it possible for cityfolks to have one with their ‘Onam Special Organic Mela’ at MNVG Adiyodi Hall, near Press Club.From the organically-grown ‘Uma’ rice variety to the highly medicinal ‘Chennellu’, you get an array of rice varieties in packets starting from 500 grams to 5 kg. Of course, it is a lot expensive than the rice cultivated with chemicals, but customers at the stall said that they would pay more for organic rice than for medicines.Of the eight varieties of ‘Njavara’ rice that used to be grown in the State, two are on sale - the Navara and the Navarapunja from Kannur. Navara is not only supposed to rejuvenate muscles and tissues but has also been found to be protective against cancer, especially breast cancer. Molecular studies by agricultural scientists in the State identified a protective protein against cancer in the rice, which also has anti-allergic properties.In traditional ‘panchakarma’, this is used for treatment of arthritis, rheumatism, backache and other age-related problems. Apart from the medicinal varieties of ‘navara’ and ‘chennellu’, there is the ‘Kalladi Aryan’ from Wayanad which can be used for multiple purposes - as rice, as ‘kanji’ and even as ‘payasam.’ However, conspicuous by their absence at the sale are the fragrant varieties of ‘gandhakasala’, ‘jeerakasala’ and ‘mullankazhama’, for which many rice-eaters in the city had taken a liking to recently. If you thought ridge gourd was something rare in this southern city of Ananthapuri, there are lots of gourds at the organic fair, including the ridge gourd and the snake gourd.Also on sale are the organically grown cucumbers, ‘pinkest’ of radishes, ‘cheera’, potato, beetroot, carrot, yam and a huge variety of banana.A local variety of green brinjal from Wayanad is a huge hit with a length of almost one-and-a-half feet, while the bitter lemon has found many takers, who want to make pickles ahead of Onam.To cook them all, the organic bazaar has virgin coconut oil from Kannur, which is supposed to be the best substitute for antibiotics by many because of its high lauric acid content, which converts to monolaurin and becomes protective. This monoglyceride has antiviral, antibacterial, antiprotozoal and antimicrobial properties that can help cure various diseases. It is said to work by destroying lipid-coated viruses such as HIV, herpes, cytomegalovirus, influenza, various pathogenic bacteria.If your interest is to cook pesticide-free snacks for Onam, there is wheat flour, rice flour, rice flakes and powdered jaggery.The Organic Fair is on till Saturday.first published:August 24, 2012, 11:18 ISTlast updated:August 24, 2012, 11:18 IST
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Wanna have an ‘Onasadya’ like in the olden times, with tasty rice and pesticide-free vegetables? The city-based NGO Thanal has made it possible for cityfolks to have one with their ‘Onam Special Organic Mela’ at MNVG Adiyodi Hall, near Press Club.

From the organically-grown ‘Uma’ rice variety to the highly medicinal ‘Chennellu’, you get an array of rice varieties in packets starting from 500 grams to 5 kg. Of course, it is a lot expensive than the rice cultivated with chemicals, but customers at the stall said that they would pay more for organic rice than for medicines.

Of the eight varieties of ‘Njavara’ rice that used to be grown in the State, two are on sale - the Navara and the Navarapunja from Kannur. Navara is not only supposed to rejuvenate muscles and tissues but has also been found to be protective against cancer, especially breast cancer. Molecular studies by agricultural scientists in the State identified a protective protein against cancer in the rice, which also has anti-allergic properties.

In traditional ‘panchakarma’, this is used for treatment of arthritis, rheumatism, backache and other age-related problems. Apart from the medicinal varieties of ‘navara’ and ‘chennellu’, there is the ‘Kalladi Aryan’ from Wayanad which can be used for multiple purposes - as rice, as ‘kanji’ and even as ‘payasam.’ However, conspicuous by their absence at the sale are the fragrant varieties of ‘gandhakasala’, ‘jeerakasala’ and ‘mullankazhama’, for which many rice-eaters in the city had taken a liking to recently. If you thought ridge gourd was something rare in this southern city of Ananthapuri, there are lots of gourds at the organic fair, including the ridge gourd and the snake gourd.

Also on sale are the organically grown cucumbers, ‘pinkest’ of radishes, ‘cheera’, potato, beetroot, carrot, yam and a huge variety of banana.

A local variety of green brinjal from Wayanad is a huge hit with a length of almost one-and-a-half feet, while the bitter lemon has found many takers, who want to make pickles ahead of Onam.

To cook them all, the organic bazaar has virgin coconut oil from Kannur, which is supposed to be the best substitute for antibiotics by many because of its high lauric acid content, which converts to monolaurin and becomes protective. This monoglyceride has antiviral, antibacterial, antiprotozoal and antimicrobial properties that can help cure various diseases. It is said to work by destroying lipid-coated viruses such as HIV, herpes, cytomegalovirus, influenza, various pathogenic bacteria.

If your interest is to cook pesticide-free snacks for Onam, there is wheat flour, rice flour, rice flakes and powdered jaggery.

The Organic Fair is on till Saturday.