MLA Umanath Kotian Inaugurates Fruit Mela at Pilikula Nisargadhama
Mangaluru: The Pilikula Regional Science Center in association with MRPL, KIOCL, Karnataka Air Pollution Control Board and the Indian Red Cross Association organized a ‘Fruit Mela’ at Pilikula Nisarga Dhama here, on June 8.
The Fruit Mela was inaugurated by Moodabidri MLA Umananth Kotian. C A Shantharam Shetty from the Indian Red Cross Association, U V Aithal (Chief General Manager, MRPL) and officials from the Karnataka Air Pollution Control Board were also present.
After the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, MLA Umananth Kotian cut open a jackfruit and thereby officially kicked off the three-day Fruit Mela.
Later, addressing the mediapersons, Kotian said, “The objective of this exhibition is to save the environment of this region. In the context of protecting plants and trees, this is a Mela to showcase fruits and flowers. For the next two days, farmers from across the district will come here to exhibit and sell their products. There are a variety of fruits here and each of them has a different taste. The jackfruit is a fruit that is responsible for the livelihood of several people since the past 25-30 years.”
Kotian further said, “I have grown up eating rice and curry made from jackfruit seeds. There are several older people too who have grown up eating the same. However, today, there is a lack of information about this fruit as well as the other fruits. We have to make people aware of the nutrients present in such fruits. The youth of today must be informed of all the vitamins and minerals that come from fruits like the jackfruit. We don’t eat fruits for happiness or style. We eat it because of the protein and other nutrients that keep our body and mind healthy.”
He also said, “People can come here and also learn about the fruits. They might not know how to peel a coconut; then they can come here and learn how to easily peel the fruit. This is a good initiative by the administration of Pilikula Nisarga Dhama and this is a unique exhibition that is held in the district. I urge all the people to come here and educate themselves about the varieties of fruits that are being sold here.”
The Fruit Mela comprised several fruit stalls that did not merely showcase the wide varieties of tender fresh fruits, but also displayed the cooked variants of such fruits that were packed with nutritional properties. While one stall sold AYUSH certified medicinal fruit variants for diabetes and kidney stones, another stall hawked cold, delicious, and 100% organic fruit-based ice creams with intriguing flavors like Wild Mango, Jackfruit, Tender Coconut, Chili, and Areca nut.
Pics by Astel Pereira, Team Mangalorean