The art of organic living

A disease-ridden city calls for a drastic change in lifestyle. Speak Up explores the shift towards organic living

Just what is organic food

Organic food includes food produced without the use of conventional pesticides or artificial fertilisers or sewage sludge, animals reared without the routine use of antibiotics and without the use of growth hormones and food processed without ionising radiation and without the use of a wide range of food additives. With artificial chemicals out of the equation, organic food is believed to be healthier than conventional foods.

The organic movement is not confined to food alone and also includes clothing and footwear in a big way. Products need an organic certification the requirements for which generally involve a set of production standards for growing, storage, processing, packaging and shipping in keeping with the overall principles of the organic movement.
Source: Wikipedia

The guru

Turn organic to see the difference

I farm the organic way. I have some land in Amravati. On this land, I grow teak, bamboo, orange and sweet lime. My trees grown on organic manure are greener and more lush than those surviving on chemical fertilisers.

As a sort of tradition, each year I get a truck load of fruits from these trees and distribute them among friends. Once, when the crop was destroyed due to rainfall, I bought oranges from the market and distributed it. My friends, however, returned them saying they prefer the ones I got from my land. They could make out the
difference in the taste without me telling them it was not organic fruit.

It is sad to see people running after chemical fertilisers. They may ensure faster growth and bigger harvest, but the fruit/vegetable is not as healthy as organic food.

The difference in taste and the look of the vegetable/ fruit is a treat in itself. Turn organic and see for yourself.  Jayant Deshmukh. Businessman and organic farmer

Fast forward

Organic’s the way to better future

In foreign countries people are opting for organic food and have stopped eating fruits and vegetables grown with chemical manure. This trend is fast catching on in India and many prefer organic food for its quality and taste.

People are now aware of the benefits of going organic and are ready to pay more for it. There are many hotels and supermarkets that sell and serve organic food and products. Hotel Orchid is an ecotel that uses organic goods and has its own organic farm too. More such places are likely to mushroom as the organic culture continues to gain momentum

Soil loses its capacity to regenerate and fertility when you use chemical manure. Over a period of five years, the land becomes barren. This could be the reason why farmers are finding it hard to sustain yield, get caught in debt trap and commit suicide.

The government can at the most provide loans and better technology to farmers but can't ensure better and quality yield. This, farmers have to ensure. Use of organic manure boosts the fertility of the soil and the yield every year. This could be the answer to their problem. BM Uchil. Businessman and organic farmer

It’s trendy to go organic

We manage our waste in-house and even treat water in-house. We conserve water and energy and provide environment-training programmes. We would like to support organic food but the supply isn't enough to sustain the hotel. There are several individual farmers who come to us and we help them in whatever way we can, but something with the capacity to sustain us in the long run has not yet come to our notice.

People react positively to the ecotel concept. Now, it is more of a trend. But thanks to the trend, awareness has increased. We have several guests who want to see our recycling plant and lots even ask for renewable materials for their homes.

The opinion people had about organic lifestyle has changed dramatically. Earlier, people thought we were a budget hotel near the airport but now they understand the importance of healthy living. Rajul Berde. Assistant Manger, Environment, The Orchid

Don't know, don't care
I have not tried organic food yet, but I refuse to believe it is as good as it is made out to be. How do I know if the stuff is natural when I have not seen it growing? As far as organic farming is concerned, I cannot devote the required time and effort. Durga Jetley. Mulund

Tried, tested and stopped
I tried my hand at organic farming some months back, but it proved to be so costly and time consuming that I had to give it up. Also, I did not find much difference between the organic and the normal and easily available food. It wasn't worth the effort, time and money. Sahil Kumar. Thane

Went organic two years ago
I am into organic farming since the last two years. It started as a hobby with me distributing organic vegetables in my neighbourhood. Now my neighbours depend on those vegetables. They say that the vegetables I grow are tastier and have improved their health.

The seeds that I get from the market are costly, but the pleasure I get when people appreciate my efforts is worth it.  Jaya Tendulkar. Virar

Organic foods not easily available 
I would love to go organic, but these vegetables are too expensive and not easily available. Time is another factor that makes the nearest vegetable vendor the best option for me. I can't go looking around for organic food. Priya Iyer. Kandivali

Historical perspective

Oldest practice: Vermiculture is a 10,000-year-old practice, dating back to the Neolithic age, practiced by ancient civilisation like Mesopotamia, Hwang Ho basin etc.

Quran: At least one third of what you take out from soils must be returned to it implying recycling or post-harvest residue.

Mahabharata: Mention of Kamadhenu, the celestial cow and its role on human life and soil fertility.

Kautilya Arthashastra: Mentioned several manures like oil cake, animal excreta.
Brihad-Sanhita (by Varahmihir): Described how to choose manures for different crops and the methods of manuring.

Source: Indian Journal of Fertilisers, Dept of Agriculture and Cooperation

Speak Up inbox

I agree with Ms Dwivedi
In response to ‘Deliver the necklace, please’, dated October 26, 2006 
I support Sharada Dwivedi's statements regarding the Marine Drive beautification project. Nothing should interfere with the splendour of the bay and the heritage body should have a decisive say before Phase Two work starts.

A portion of the Girgaum Chowpatty abrogated by a firm owned by a Bollywood actor for water-sports should be taken back and left open for the free pleasure and enjoyment of the public. I further request that another place should be found for people who are driven to feed pigeons for I have personal experience of their allergenic potential.  Dr S Banerji

Jaywalking not necessarily out of choice

In response to ‘When J walks, I freeze’, dated October 25, 2006 
Though jaywalkers are fined Rs100, many are forced to jaywalk due for want of pavements and zebra crossings. The government should create hawking zones where traffic restrictions are required. There is also a need for more subways, foot overbridges for people at prime locations, to discourage them from jaywalking. The government should take the initiative.  Cajetan Peter D'Souza

What about jaywalkers’ woes

In response to ‘When J walks, I freeze’, dated October 25, 2006.
The article on Jaywalking was biased. I wish to deal only with the behaviour of motorists at traffic signals. Take for example, Amar Mahal and Sahakar Cinema. Their indiscipline has to be seen in order to believe. They do not obey traffic signals and when the ‘Walk’ sign is green, motorists drive through merrily. The mere thought of their vehicles stopping for pedestrians, perhaps is unthinkable and makes their blood boil.

Similarly at Amar Mahal, even when the traffic light is red, many drive without any concern about the problem they cause for those driving in opposite direction. Also, do motorists adhere to the speed limits and prescribed distance between vehicles. As long as there is no accident, everyone looks the other way.

With the MMRDA in charge of the upgradation work, even the existing footpaths have disappeared. Between Amar Mahal and Sahakar Junction, there is no footpath at all. At Pestomsagar, only when a pedestrian was a victim of road rage did the authorities wake up to provide passengers a subway? In fact, the police wanted to arrest Mr Ganesan, Chairman Emeritus of the Pestomsagar Citizens’ Forum, for putting warning signs along the highway cautioning motorists. May be before motorists and pedestrians, the WIAA officials need lessons. PR Vijaya Raghavan