Alphonse Mendonsa

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (KR)

Udupi, Aug 28: As a part of their study tour, ‘Summer School Programme 2019’, which is organized by the Centre for Intercultural Studies and Dialogue (CISD), Manipal Centre for European Studies (MCES), MAHE, the students from Lancaster University, UK are in the city.

This programme is being organized every year, since 2014 and this is the fifth summer school organized by CISD-MCE, MAHE. This year’s theme is ‘Discerning India: Religion, Culture and Society’. As many as 18 students and two coordinators are in the team. The summer school programme is for 12 days (August 25 to September 5) in Manipal, where they will be exploring Indian culture, practices, traditions and society.

The students will be having workshops and sessions on yoga, traditional Indian school practices, idea of Dvaita philosophy in India, folklore of the region, folk dance, Bollywood dance, political systems in India and Uk - comparison, yakshagana, introduction to jain philosophy, henna design, coastal cuisine, clay art. They will also visit places in and around Udupi and Mangaluru like famous temples, beaches, churches, historical places, botanical gardens and various cultivation.

As part of this study, the students were interested in Jasmine cultivation. Alphonse Mendonsa, a well-know photo journalist from Shankerpura in Pangla introduced them to the origin of Jasmine cultivation. Alphonse explained in details to the students as to how the Jasmine cultivation was started in Pangla in 1930. He said that during the period of Fr Basil Peris, the then Parish priest of Pangla (later became Bishop of Mangaluru in 1956), who, looking at the pathetic conditions of poor farmers of Pangla introduced Jasmine flowers from Bhatkal, which is about 100 kms from Shankerpura. He then narrated that the growth of Jasmine plants, the financial condition of the catholic families increased and eventually they were able to stand on their own feet and children got educated and traveled to Mumbai and gulf for better prospects. He also briefly narrated them the maintenance of the Jasmine plants as to menuring, watering and finally concluded with on rate fluctuations and fixing the rates at Shankerpura daily.

The students visited Jasmineland Homestay at Subasnagar Shankerpura and were thoroughly briefed about the cultivation and marketing of Jasmines including, the fixing of rates fixed on the demand and supply.

The students were also taken around and were introduced to many local fruits varieties of Mangoes, Kokums, Coconuts, Aracanuts, Betel leaves, Figs, Black pepper etc.

The students took active part in gathering information on Jasmine and other local fruits and vegetables.

The tour was coordinated by Dr Praveen Shetty, coordinator of the CISD, Dr Arjuna S R, Tejasvini Ahuja and Jestan Fernandes, who are the coordinators for the Summer School Programme for Lancaster University 2019.

The tour began at 4 pm and ended at 5.30 pm.

The students appreciated efforts of Jasmine Home Stay and especially thanked Alphonse Mendonsa for the detailed information on Jasmine flowers Cultivation and introduction of many varieties of fruit trees.

On part of MAHE Jestan Fernandes rendered the vote of thanks.

The students were served with local lime juice and homemade rice laddus which they enjoyed thoroughly.

Earlier, owner of Jasmineland Homestay Jason D'Souza welcomed the students.