Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Friday Review | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

Green with envy

With the crack of dawn, sunrays illuminate the nodding marigold sprinkling cheer around her, says P. Sujatha Varma

PHOTO: CH. VIJAYA BHASKAR

STAYING CLOSE TO NATURE Whenever time permits, Sujatha does what she likes the best

Mornings smell different here. The incessant chirping of birds, the sweet fragrance of flowers and the freshness around spurs Sujatha to grab every opportu nity of a tête-à-tête with nature. After introducing the feel-good factor by adding a riot of colour in her well-groomed garden, she now feasts her eyes on the warm, serene and beckoning surroundings.

Though the house is located in the heart of the city, it is amazingly away from the cacophony, choking pollution or the mad frenzy. It's a place that comes alive with the melodious calls of birds strumming the soul strings. The exciting spectrum of bright hues, the lavish spread of greenery and the fresh floral allure casts a cheerful spell that enlivens her family's day.

In father's footsteps

"Though I was not born with a green thumb, I grew up watching my father grooming plants and herbs with great care and devotion around the small house he owned in Hyderabad," recalls Sujatha who is an agriculture officer at Hanuman Junction. She is also the wife of Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (DCM), South Central Railway, John Prasad. "Our house looked magnificent amidst rows of mango, guava, banana and gooseberry trees and surrounded by seasonal flowers like roses, hibiscus, jasmine and lilies, besides nearly 30 varieties of crotons," she reminisces.

Her romance with the nature began in 1995 when her husband was transferred to Guntakal in Anantapur district. "I was a housewife and had ample time. Inspired by one of my friends, I bought a set of gardening tools and tried growing a few herbs and flowers outside my home," she reminisces.

Pointing to the large golden-rayed sunflowers, she laments that birds sometimes mar the splendour by feeding on their seeds. Sujatha has turned the space around her house into an artist's palette. Breathtaking varieties of zinnia, salvia, balsam, chrysanthemum and marigold, in addition to 15 varieties of hibiscus, 30 kinds of roses embellish her home. Besides, there is lotus (in white, blue and pink colours), ixora and creepers like bluebells, morning glory and tecoma.

Varieties galore

Obsessed with green surroundings, she manages to take time off her busy schedule for the elaborate exercise of soil preparation, ploughing, adding manure, sowing of seeds and finally weeding out shrubs.

Of her two daughters Ankita and Ananya, the latter shows a keen interest in her mother's passion.

On special occasions, she presents a bouquet of these flowers to her teachers," she says.

Vegetables like brinjal, cauli-flower, cabbage, bottle gourd, ridge gourd, bitter gourd and snake gourd, ladyfinger, cluster beans and all leafy vegetables grow in abundance and are distributed in the neighbourhood.

The dream world, which Sujatha has built with passion, devotion and vision absorbs all her worries and calms her nerves.

"The freshness of the surroundings embrace me in its peaceful fold," she says letting out a wide grin.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail