WORLD COCONUT DAY AND TEACHER ACTIVITIES 2021 BY THE INSTITUTE FOR THE HANDICAPPED AND BACKWARD PEOPLE
World Coconut Day is observed on September 2 every year to commemorate the formation of Asian Pacific Coconut Community (APCC) to emphasize on the importance of the fruit in poverty reduction.
Institute for the Handicapped and Backward People a non-political, non-religious, non-profit making, socially responsible NGO working in the field of disability celebrated both World Coconut Day on 2nd September 2021 and Teachers Day on 5th September 2021 by distributing 1200 coconut saplings among poor differently able and disadvantaged people of the River Island of Bhurkunda Bholakhali (Nityaberia), under Sandeskhali - I Block, North 24 Parganas District, West Bengal. The area is one of the backward most blocks and is prone to various types of natural disaster like cyclone, flooding etc. This year it was struck by Cyclone Yaas and last year by Super Cyclone Amphan
Coconuts, a popular fruit around the world, hold a special significance in India, not only for the many health benefits it offers but also for the auspiciousness and spiritual connect associated with it. We believe it is our duty to do something productive for the poor and neglected people of the area like creating job/income opportunities so that people of the area lead a decent quality life and empower them. Keeping in this mind we distributed 1200 coconut saplings each of 2 and ½ years old and which when full grown in another 4-5 years will bear coconut fruits which each household may sell in the market and earn a livelihood. Coconut shells, Coconut Oil, Coconut Leaves/Stick are also very useful and have a demand in the market. A coconut tree when full grown gives fruit throughout the year and on average each coconut tree bears a minimum of 200 fruits per year and the price of each coconut is around Rs. 20/- per piece in the local market. Our Organization distributed 4 Coconut Saplings to each family of Nityaberia, which in 4-5 years will bear 800 coconut fruits with 200 coconut fruits from each tree. In this way when sold in market it will fetch Rs. 15840/- from 4 coconut trees (198 x 4 x 20). The Rs. 15840/- earned by each family from selling coconut fruits in the market will be used towards the education, medical expenses if any of their children and on other family emergencies. In return our Organization will receive in return only 2 Coconut per year per each Coconut tree from the beneficiaries. Our Organization will then through scientific means make saplings out of each Coconut and then will re-distribute it among other beneficiaries. In this way this will be a long term continuous reusable Project and be beneficial for all concern.
The area has the potential of Project like Coconut Plantation, suitable is all aspect, one of the most risk free project and capable of yielding high return for the beneficiaries. We will aware the beneficiaries how to take care of the plant. In this way there will be a socio-economic development and the people will be empowered. Moreover with the plantation of Coconut Trees there will be a Green Revolution in the area which is good for environment and the Coconut Tree will help in fighting soil erosion, flooding, cyclone which the area is prone to.
5 uses of Coconut for better health
As we observe World Coconut Day 2021, it is important to remember how the fruit is beneficial for the human body and mind, and how can we incorporate it in our diet, or use it in several other ways to stay healthy and fit, and live a long life.
a) Coconut helps in boosting immunity
b) Coconut for managing blood sugar
c) Coconut oil for hair
d) Coconut oil for skin healing
e) Coconut meat (the flesh inside the coconut) as an ingredient in food.