Twitter
Advertisement

College kids have their eyes opened to Bt

Alternative school’s performance of play about GM crops has big impact.

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

The public consultation on the commercial cultivation of Bt Brinjal will be held on February 6 from 10 am to 2 pm at the Jnana Jyoti Auditorium, Central College Campus, Palace Road, Near Mysore Bank. Union minister for environment and forests Jairam Ramesh has been meeting the public across the country, eliciting opinions on genetically modified foods.

Meanwhile, at the annual festival at Mount Carmel College, called Cul-Ah!, those opposing the cultivation of genetically modified crops put up a 20-minute skit, warning against the move to introduce commercially cultivated genetically modified vegetables like Bt brinjal.

Agriculture may not be a big concern with college kids in the city, but the play staged by children of Sarang, an alternative school in Kerala, where farming forms part of the curriculum, piqued the curiosity of many students. The play, Seeds of the Future, was staged by actors in the age range of eight to 21. Kathakali and kalaripayattu movements were incorporated into the performance.

The plot of the play dealt with the transformation of a village that is self-reliant to one that struggles to adapt to constantly-changing techniques of farming. Anuradha Karant, who accompanied the troupe of actors, said, “The idea of the skit emerged from sessions that were held with the children about the public debate on GM crops. The skit highlights the current concerns.”

The children enacted the interest of foreign agencies, attempting to gain control over the seed bank. The play showed that GM crops have an adverse impact on the soil.  

Attempting to represent the opposing view too, the skit showed how some villagers experiment with modern techniques, while a lone farmer collects and preserves seeds.

To show how GM foods tamper with nature, the skit depicts a cow with four udders. More, the skit held, is not necessarily merrier!

The skit drew the audience’s attention to the fact that the country has a 6,000-year history of agriculture, and warned that there need be no undue haste in introducing Bt brinjal, when even its very need is not established.

While some in the audience were aware of the debate on commercial cultivation of Bt Brinjal, others said that the performance was an eye-opener.

It was clear, however, that the curiosity of several college students was whetted, and many even said that they would be part of the audience that the Union minister of environment and forests will meet to  discuss the issue this Saturday. Be there at the Jnana Jyoti auditorium!

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement