Planting saplings grafted from twins detached from a Malgoa mango tree planted by Gandhiji at Payyannur nearly eight decades ago is a novel way of celebrating Gandhi Jayanthi.
The Kannur-based Kerala Initiative to Save Agriculture and Nature (KISAN) has 100 grafts in its possession now to be distributed among various institutions for planting on October 2.
The grafts from the shoots of the historical mango tree, popularly known as Gandhi Mavu, were prepared at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra-Kannur.
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The famous mango tree planted by Gandhiji at Sree Narayana Ashramam at Payyannur on January 12, 1934 still stands as testimony to the heritage of the Independence movement at Payyannur. Gandhiji had visited the Ashrama Vidyalayam started by Swami Anandatheertha that day and planted the Malgoa sapling at the southern side of the Ashram.
KISAN chairman T.O. Mohanan said the idea of planting the grafts from the Gandhi Mavu to commemorate Gandhi Jayanthi was conceived as part of an afforestation programme.
At a function held under the shade of the Gandhi Mavu on Monday, the grafts were handed over to freedom fighter Appukkuttan Poduval by K.Abdul Kareem, Associate Director of Research, Regional Agricultural
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Research Station of the Kerala Agricultural University at Pilikode.
Dr. Kareem said the grafts were true-to-type plants.
The scions taken from the Gandhi Mavu were grafted on root stocks at the KVK, he added.
The cultivars were distributed to representatives of various institutions at a function at the Mahatma Mandir here in the afternoon.
Municipal chairperson Roshni Khalid inaugurated the distribution of the plants.