BHARATI PAWASKAR
Turning the years of calendar in our lives, a unique experience of making natural ice-cream from local fresh fruits like wood apple or jackfruit will take us back to our childhood when summers meant ice-fruits, golas and home-made ice-creams. With anxious faces sitting around the wooden bucket, each taking turns to churn the natural ingredients so as to allow the flavours to fold in smoothly and blend with the fresh fruit pulps, no added preservatives, no synthetic stabilizers, no artificial colours, no gelatine or any other additives, this rich mixture of pure joy would bring instant smiles.
The upcoming IndeGenius Fest, ‘Back to the roots’ at Saraya Eco Stay and Art Café at Sangolda in North Goa, will add this and more such experiences to those who attend it. It is a native wisdom and natural living festival - a coming together of people to celebrate and share the amazing indigenous and sustainable practices that have been passed down since ancient times in the Indian subcontinent!
“The festival will bring together many talents from diverse fields to allow a learning-teaching experience to the youth of Goa. There will be a live sharing by these modern masters of various arts and crafts as well as practitioners of natural living in the three-day fest. The workshops will be accompanied by an exhibition of earth-friendly material and products created by them which will be available for sale. Apart from this live musical performances and interesting food stalls will keep the soul as well as stomach satiated,” announces Sachin Desai, brain behind Syamantak University of Life.
It’s the roots that connect us to the soil, the earth which is the breathing source for all living organisms. Without this bond there cannot be any life, surviving or thriving. Understanding this basic concept, Syamantak University of Life has been continuously promoting the idea of living close to nature. A centre for sustainable living and open learning for youth, the brilliant brains behind this university of life have offered various options to the youth to stay close to their village, learn life skills, educate self and earn a living for life.
A village should be self-sufficient to provide learning opportunities to its youth and then to offer work, so that they can fend themselves. “Ours is a living encyclopaedia of umpteen success stories that have emerged over the past few years and made us glad. It is heart-warming to see that youth trained at our centre or who are associated with us, are embracing a simple, down-to-earth lifestyle and content with whatever they achieve. These stories ignite spirits and kindle hope for many others living in metros who nurture a dream to return to their roots someday. We made it possible for them by converting that ‘someday’ into ‘today’,” claims Sachin.
Founder and former CEO Ad-venture Infosys, Sachin has no regrets of leaving behind a lucrative career to embrace this novel concept that has changed the track of not only his own life but that of many other like-minded persons across India. Syamantak has today become a symbol for sustainable living and open learning for youth. The education offered here comes straight from Mother Earth. Taking the concept out of the university to people, Syamantak is organising this fest in Goa.
Some of the stalls that will be put up are from those living at Syamantak whereas others will be from people who are outside it, but who are closely associated with the concept of sustainable living. Syamantak’s home-made products include handmade natural ice-cream from wood apple and jackfruit. There will be a workshop on handmade soaps, multipurpose eco-enzyme, kiln and lime making from tisryo shells.
“These products are hand-made in small batches from carefully selected raw materials especially neglected fruits and flowers of Konkan. Saying no to any artificial preservatives, colours or flavours and only by following traditional methods of preservation, these fruit-based products are made from fresh fruits and flowers using only certified organic sugar. Pre-processed fruit pulp, high fructose corn syrup or commercial pectin is not used,” briefs Meenal Desai, co-founder and programme co-ordinator at Syamantak University of Life.
The personalities who would be offering their knowledge and expertise to the attendees are specialised in their respective fields. One of these special persons is Damji Vankar, a traditional handloom weaver from Kutch, who is awarded at the hands of the President of India for his master craft, will be demonstrating his art. There will be an interactive session of vegan recipes and pro-biotic workshop with Shailendar.
Exploring the hidden treasures of the art of puppetry and trying to save the art from dying, artist Chetan Thakkar will teach the skills of puppetry making to the participants.
