A piece of land that was filled with bushes has been transformed into an organic garden with the help of a group of inmates of the Home for Psycho-Social Rehabilitation of Mentally Ill Persons in Tirupattur.
Almost two-and-a-half-years ago, they started to cultivate a variety of plants, including native species, on 1.5 acres of land near the Tirupattur railway station and have been maintaining it since then. Today, there are nearly 400 organically-grown plants in the garden.
As part of rehabilitation of mentally challenged persons, who were rescued from the streets, the centre run by Udhavum Ullangal has been engaging them in activities in which they expressed interest and involvement.
One such activity was gardening in which a number of persons, undergoing treatment and receiving care here, showed interest, according to C. Ramesh, founder of the home that is recognised by the State government. About 20 persons are involved in gardening.
Keen interest
“A group of inmates go to the garden every day, water the plants and maintain the garden. As in other activities, we involve them in gardening if we are sure that they are interested. In our experience, we have seen that these persons carry out the work with utmost care,” he said.
Railway land
The organic garden has several varieties of plants, particularly native species. Plants such as ‘nochi’, vilvam’, ‘panneer’, ‘marudhu’ ‘kalyana murungai’ and vegetables such as brinjal, small onion, coriander, radish, beans, lady’s finger, and plantain trees have been cultivated on this land that belongs to the Railways.
There are many green spaces in and around the Tirupattur town credited to the efforts of these inmates. “We have taken up plantation in the available spaces on the roadsides in Tirupattur town. Some inmates take care of the roadside greenery and water them regularly. We have a water tank mounted on a donated vehicle that is used for watering these plants,” he added.
Four years ago, the home took up cultivation of 1,000 plants on another Railway land measuring nearly 3.5 acres in Tirupattur. “These plants have grown nearly 20 feet tall. These plants were also cultivated and maintained by the inmates. Some of them, who have been discharged and reunited with their families after treatment, played a pivotal role in creating greenery in Tirupattur town,” he added.
