THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: ‘Go Green’ is the mantra of the Kerala Raj Bhavan that has implemented a host initiatives, including an organic vegetable garden, a medicinal plant garden and a green protocol. Thanks to the incumbent head of state P Sathasivam.
The initiatives were launched in a phased manner after the former Chief Justice of India assumed office of the Governor in 2014. As part of the green protocol, use of plastic cups, disposable plates and paper cups are banned on the campus.
On the very first week of his new assignment, Sathasivam banned bottled mineral water in Raj Bhavan, which helped the office save a significant amount a year. Since then, boiled water is served in steel tumblers for everyday use and also at functions hosted in the campus.
Sathasivam has ensured that no piece of land lies unutilised on the 29-acre campus in the heart of the city.
Raj Bhavan staff said their chief is quite unpredictable as he chooses different routes on the campus for his morning walks. “Very often, he would come with some suggestion after a morning walk.
It may be the repair of the damaged portion of the compound wall, cleaning an unused well or planting a sapling somewhere,” said a staff member. Sathasivam said the highlight of his current assignment was the opportunity to nurture his most favourite hobby—farming.
“I was born in an agrarian family and I am a farmer at heart. The first thing that caught my attention here was the coconut trees with fewer yields. Steps were taken to improve their yield and it showed results,” he said. Mango saplings of 10 varieties, neem and jackfruit trees have been planted across the campus.
A biodegradable waste plant was installed and the manure used for the organic garden. The requirement for the governor’s kitchen is very low and hence Sathasivam has envisaged a system of sharing vegetables with the Raj Bhavan staff. The vegetables are distributed among the staff free of cost, where priority is given to class IV staff and upwards. The medicinal plant garden has around 200 varieties.
The 67-year-old former Chief Justice of India has set another goal for himself—to learn Malayalam. He devotedly watches Malayalam news channels, trying to pick on new words.
“Polishing Malayalam speaking skill is my immediate priority. So, I watch news channels for two hours every afternoon. Besides, it helps me to be in the loop of what is happening around the state,” he said.