Farm's A Charm
THE WEEK|January 08, 2017

A farmer by birth and at heart, Governor P. Sathasivam has turned the Raj Bhavan premises into an organic farm.

Cithara Paul
Farm's A Charm

If you are a class four employee at the Raj Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram, you will be one of those lucky few who get to eat the healthiest organic greens, courtesy Governor P. Sathasivam. The Kerala governor has turned the 29 acre Raj Bhavan premises into an organic farm, making it one of the greenest spots in the capital. It is home to all seasonal vegetables— from bhindi to brinjal—and fruits like jack fruit, mango and plantains. There are a variety of rare medicinal plants, too. And, the produce gets distributed among the 140-odd employees, with class four employees getting the maximum share.

“Farming is my first and last love and I prefer to be known as a good farmer rather than anything else,” the former chief justice of India told THE WEEK. True to his words, Sathasivam is involved in every stage of farming— from selection of seeds to the spots where they will be planted. And, he keeps a keen eye on the growth of each plant, visiting the farm twice a day. If he finds that a plant is not being tended properly, then the gardener is sure to get an earful.

This story is from the January 08, 2017 edition of THE WEEK.

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This story is from the January 08, 2017 edition of THE WEEK.

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