Sharjah: Nearly 5,000 families in the UAE will now grow pesticide-free curry leaves at their homes, thanks to a record setting initiative by an Indian expat.
Keralite Sudheesh Guruvayoor set a Guinness World Record in the largest distribution of saplings by distributing 4,914 saplings of curry tree in Sharjah on Tuesday.
He broke the existing record set by the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurudwara in Dubai which had distributed 2,083 saplings of three varieties of trees to students of Delhi Private School in March.
Guruvayoor, who had hit headlines with his enthusiasm and accomplishments in farming in the UAE, achieved the new feat as part of the World Environment Day celebrations in the country.
The saplings from his own farm in Sharjah were distributed to the students of two campuses of Sharjah Indian High School.
The adjudicator for Guinness World Records Hoda Khachab presented the certificate to Sudheesh in the presence of his family and senior members of the Indian community in Sharjah. Principals, teachers, and parents of Sharjah Indian School were also present.
Speaking to Gulf News, Guruvayoor said the initiative was his attempt to support the green vision of the Father of the Nation, Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in the Year of Zayed.
With five Limca Book of Records and other awards in his kitty, he said he had been growing curry tree saplings at his farm for almost three months for this dream project.
He said he chose curry tree from India since curry leaves are an essential ingredient in the cuisine in various parts of his country.
Curry leaves from India were earlier banned in the UAE due to high levels of pesticides.
Through this initiative, Guruvayoor said, families of these students can grow pesticide-free curry leaves at home.
Carolyn Mariam Tharakan, a grade 12 student, said she was excited to take home the sapling.
“My mum was very happy to see it. We bring curry leaves from home every time we go to Kerala for vacation. We are happy we can grow it at home now.”
Guruvayoor said the same students will be encouraged to make their own kitchen gardens with the support of his firm, Greenlife Organic Farming.
“We will give the seeds and saplings they require. My plan is to encourage them to have a contest and give awards to the best three farmers among them. That way, we can continue the green efforts that most people limit only to the World Environment Day.”
Last year, Guruvayoor had taught rice paddy cultivation in the backyard of his villa to students of three schools in Sharjah.
In his second similar mission, he included about 70 children of determination in rice farming. Those special needs children will take part in the rice harvest festival by this month end, he said.
Why are curry leaves important for Indians
The curry tree or Murraya koenigii is a tropical to subtropical tree of the family Rutaceae. It is used as a spice in many countries. Its leaves are used for the aroma and flavour in the cuisine of various states in India, especially in the south. Indians also use curry leaves for making hair oil and various herbal preparations.
