The monthly meeting of Gurgaon Unit 39 was held on 17 March at the Chinmay Mission, Nirvana Country, Gurgaon. All the members were invited to come and applaud the Unit which
bagged almost thirty prizes in various categories from Fourteen of its members. It was not just to honour the prize winners but also to appreciate the volunteers who worked very hard and were present on both days to give support and a helping hand.
Prize winners from AIKGA Unit 39 (Gurgaon) shared their journey and experience along with the Volunteers who helped enthusiastically at the Annual Mela 2023.
While all the prize winners could not make it on the decided day, those who came were excited and were eager to share their experiences and journey. Each one agreed that there is no gain without hard work and that too giving it in person. One has to connect with the garden and plants to get the best – that’s where the magic lies.
In Sujata Jain’s words, “ Participation is more important than winning. By participating one gets to learn more”. Mridula felt that “gardening is the best to be in good health, it’s better than going to any gym, gardeners never grow old” For Alka Kanwar, “having four money plants, a Bougainville and a self-made waterfall was enough in a garden until she developed an empty plot, got more plants and set up the garden herself”. Savita, a plant lover who has a huge collection of plants and had to give away many of them when they shifted to a condominium.
She fought to set up her plants on the terrace of her building. She did not want to part with her plants, “would you give away your children if they are noisy and naughty” was her plea to the management who did not allow her to keep all her plants. Anita Wagh who has won many prizes earlier was a winner this time too as she not only managed everything alone, she was juggling between a wedding at home, guests and no help. Asha Kapoor, a senior member shared, that it’s the “ need of the hour to be associated with green revolution in some way and bring up the plants like your own kids”. She says, “create your own jungle and enjoy picnic there”. Aparajaya felt that her “plants came to life only after she started caring and became a member of Kitchen Garden Association”. She learnt that flowers too can be grown at home and are a part of Kitchen garden. Anu Dhawan who won four prizes shared that “sitting and spending time in her garden is a stress buster, she forgets everything and is lost with her plants”. Prem Dugar, tried everything to grow plants in Delhi after spending her early years in Assam. She realised that she alone had to put in her hard work to get results. She joined all the courses and workshops that were conducted by AIKGA. Today she can boast of a beautiful garden where she has used many artifacts and old vessels, trunks, and a lot of household junk to grow plants. Volunteers Monika and Meenu were grateful to all the Conveners for the experience they got by being present on site and both felt one can learn a lot by interacting with everyone.
All the winners and volunteers were presented with Marjoram and Thyme plants by Renu ji and Ila ji. The session ended with everyone enjoying hot samosas, sweets and chaach.
