Bhubaneswar: Patayat Sahu from Odisha’s Kalahandi district was hailed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for planting over 3,000 medicinal plants spread over 1.5 acres.
Speaking about an increase in curiosity and awareness about healthcare and wellness in the time of the COVID pandemic, the PM, in his monthly ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio programme, said that he has not only planted the plants but also documented them. “The linking of agriculture with the field of health is an example in itself,” he added.
The 65-year-old, a resident of Nandol village, learnt about traditional medicines from his grandfather, an Ayurvedic practitioner, as a hobby. Soon, the backyard of his house was filled with medicinal plants. That was 40 years ago and since then he had been adding new species of plants to his magical garden.
“All I use is organic manure to nourish them. No chemical fertiliser has ever been used in my garden,” he told TNIE.
His garden of love and labour abounds with Ashoka, Lodhra, Bidanga, Sambarsingha, Rasnajadi, Tihudi, Bhin Kakharu, Maeda, Sarpagandha and Shatavari, besides, five varieties of Bhringraj, Pengu, Panikusuma, Rajapatha, Nagavel, Debanasan, Jaladimbiri and Jyotismati and all species of Dasamoola.
“The Dasamoola herbs are also used to treat the sibling deities of Jagannath Temple during the Anasara period,” the Prakruti Bandhu awardee claimed.
Besides hills in Kalahandi district and Niyamgiri to the dense forest of Mohangiri, Sahu has collected over 500 species of plants from different parts of India during his visits facilitated by the Odisha Medicinal Plant Board.
This farmer also helps the locals and villagers with treating their diseases. “I have access to many manuscripts on traditional healing practices and medicinal plants,” Sahu was quoted as saying by India Today.
He has also been distributing saplings from his garden to villagers in Nandol and nearby areas.
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