Students from Lancaster University, UK introduced to Jasmine Cultivation in Shankerpura

By Alphonse Mendonsa
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 28 Aug: As a part of their study tour, the students were from Lancaster University, UK visited Jasmineland Homestay, Shankerpura to get an update on Jasmine Cultivation.

 

They are here as a part of Summer School Program 2019 which is organized by the Centre for Intercultural Studies and Dialogue (CISD), Manipal Centre for European Studies (MCES), MAHE. The summer school for Lancaster University is being organised since 2014 and this years theme is Discerning India: Religion, Culture and Society and this is the 5th summer school organized by CISD-MCE, MAHE. In all 18 students and 2 co-ordinators took part in Yesterday’s presentation on Jasmine Cultivation.

 

The students are on a summer school program tour for 12 days (25 Aug to 5 Sept) in Manipal where they will be exploring Indian culture, practices, traditions and society. They will be having workshops and sessions on yoga, traditional Indian school practices, idea of Dvaita philosophy in India, folklore of the region, folk dance, bollywood dance, political systems in India and UK - Comparison, Yakshagana, introduction to Jain philosophy, henna design, coastal cuisine and clay art. They will also be going around to places in and around Udupi/Mangalore visiting famous temples, beaches, churches, historical places, botanical gardens, and various cultivations.

 

 

Since they were interested in Jasmine cultivation and how it is grown and marketed etc. Alphonse Mendonsa a well-known photo journalist and Jasmine grower from Shankerpura/Pangla introduced them the origin of Jasmine cultivation and how the Jasmines landed in Pangla/Shankerpura in 1930 that was 90 years ago. He explained them in details and gave a brief history on origin of Jasmine Flowers. He said that Jasmines were introduced in Pangla Parish by Fr. Basil Peris then the Parish priest of Pangla who later became Bishop of Mangalore diocese (1956-58). Looking at pathetic condition of poor farmers of Pangla Fr. Basil introduced Jasmine flowers which he got from Bhatkal which is about 100 kms from Shankerpura. He narrated them how gradually their economy improved due to sale of Jasmines from the tiny village of Shankerpura to Mangalore and eventually to Mumbai. It was due to the unique fragrance of Jasmines it became very popular and extensively used for marriages, temples and other festivities. He briefly narrated them the maintenance of flowers, usage of manure and watering.

 

He also took the students around Jasmineland Homestay to introduce various trees of fruits and vegetables which are locally grown and the students took keen interest to learn and even tasted some fruits and enjoyed.

 

The students took active part in gathering information on Jasmine n other local fruits and vegetables.

 

The tour to Udupi/Manipal for the students was coordinated by Dr Praveen Shetty Co-ordinator of the CISD, Dr Arjuna S R, Ms Tejasvini Ahuja and Mr Jestan Fernandes, Co-ordinators for the Summer School Program for Lancaster University 2019.

 

The presentation at Shankerpura began at 4pm and ended at 5:30pm.

 

The students appreciated efforts by Jasmine Home Stay and especially thanked Alphonse Mendonsa for the detailed information on Jasmine flowers Cultivation and introduction of many varieties of fruit trees.

 

On behalf of MAHE Jestan Fernandes proposed the vote of thanks.

 

The students were served with local lime juice n home made rice laddus which they enjoyed thoroughly.

 

Earlier, Jason D’Souza, owner of Jasmineland Homestay welcomed the students.