Inter Departmental Alumni Talk, 2024-2025 Leafy Vegetables for Karkidakam
On 26th July 2024, the Alumni Association of PG Department of Botany, KAHM Unity Women’s College, organized a highly informative talk by Shahla Karuthedath, an esteemed alumni member of PG Department of Home Science, on the topic of leafy vegetables traditionally consumed during Karkidakam, the last month of the Malayalam Calendar, as part of Inter Departmental Alumni Lecture Series.
Shahla Karuthedath, known for her extensive knowledge of traditional practices and nutrition, provided valuable insights into the significance and health benefits of the leafy greens to UG and PG students of the Department. The event began by explaining the cultural and historical importance of Karkidakam, the month of rejuvenation, a period marked by monsoon rains, during which the body and mind are believed to require special care and nourishment. Leafy vegetables play a crucial role in the dietary practices of this month, offering a range of health benefits that are particularly important during the rainy season. The illuminating talk highlighted the various leafy vegetables commonly consumed during Karkidakam, such as Moringa Leaves, Curry Leaves, Spinach, Amaranth Leaves, Fenugreek Leaves, Choriyanam Leaves etc. and elaborated on the specific health benefits of these leafy vegetables. To make the session more engaging, the resource person shared some traditional recipes that incorporate these leafy vegetables, and demonstrated how these greens can be used in various dishes such as Thoran, Leafy Green Smoothies, Karkidaka Kanji etc.
The event concluded by encouraging the students to include more leafy vegetables in their diet, especially during Karkidakam, to take advantage of their numerous health benefits, and stressing the importance of preserving traditional dietary practices and passing them on to future generations for a healthier lifestyle. The session was well-received by all students, who left with a deeper understanding of the significance of leafy vegetables in traditional diets and their health benefits during the monsoon season. Ms. Nadiya K.T. (Assistant Professor Adhoc) and Ms. Vaishnavi (2nd Semester M.Sc. Botany) coordinated the program, which concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Rahila of 5th Semester B.Sc. Botany.