INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage) Belagavi chapter released the book ‘Tending our land- a new story’ written by Dr. M. G. Jackson and Nyla Coelho on Wednesday 30th November 2016 at Bharatesh Education Trust.
Swami Madhava Dasa Prabhuji of ISKCON presided over the function. Shri Dileep Kamat, eminent Environmental and Social activist was the guest of honor. Shri Jinadatta Desai, Convener of INTACH Belagavi welcomed the gathering. Shri Vinod Doddanavar, Co-convener of INTACH outlined the objectives and activities of INTACH. He also highlighted the tasks that the Belagavi chapter has taken up as its thrust areas, including conservation and restoration of the Fort.
Speaking on the occasion, the Guest of Honor Shri Dileep Kamat praised the efforts of the two authors in bringing out a book dedicated to narrating the story of the soil. He emphasized on the need for not embracing modernism in the garb of unscientific agricultural techniques while neglecting age old farming wisdom, with the help of several anecdotes and real life experiences.
The author, Nyla Coelho said that the book was a brainchild born out of the thought to write an obituary of the green revolution. She also added that the mother earth has tremendous resilience but has been unable to heal itself in the past 50 years owing to tremendous thrust on use of chemicals for more food production.
Swami Madhava Dasa Prabhuji in his presidential remarks said that poetry, art, culture or revolutions are possible in a country that is well fed. He explained that the top layer of soil comprising 4 – 5 inches is the most useful one. Although humans have damaged this layer to a large extent, it is one thing that can be reversed, he added.
Shri Sachin Upadhye who has created the cover design and Shri Vishwanath Guggari, who created the illustrations for the book, were also felicitated at the function. Shri Mahaveer Upadhye, member, INTACH, proposed the vote of thanks. Members of several art and literary organizations in the city, patrons of literature, avid readers, students, prominent personalities were present in large numbers for the function.