[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_text]With the arrival of Bala Krsna prabhu from Saranagati Village in Western Canada on February 9th 2016, a group of international and local devotees undertook a two-week marathon tour to three rural projects, two in Maharashtra and one in Madhya Pradesh. Also part of the tour were HH RP Bhakti Raghava Swami, Minister for the ISKCON Daiva Varnasrama Ministry (IDVM-India), Kisora Krsna prabhu, National Coordinator for the OM Sri Surabhi Campaign in Indonesia accompanied by Hari Kripa prabhu and Bhakta Narada, both from Indonesia as well and Kinkni prabhu from AP. Gour Gopal prabhu, IDVM-India National Director for Communications was to join the party in Madhya Pradesh but due to some car accident (he is safe by Krishna’s mercy) he could not attend but will be replaced by Hari Kirtan prabhu, IDVM-India National Coordinator for Rural Development.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_title size=”2″ content_align=”left” style_type=”default” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]NILACHAL DHAM RURAL PROJECT (Talasari project in Maharashtra)[/fusion_title][fusion_text]The Nilachal Dham rural project has been headed from the very beginning (2013) by Damodar Dulal prabhu, Minister for Cow Protection in India and also National Coordinator for the OM Sri Surabhi Campaign inaugurated by the ISKCON Daiva Varnasrama Ministry, a 12 years Marathon started January 1, 2015. The project is in a remote area surrounded by Tribals and the initial stages of the project were fraught with tremendous challenges that eventually won over the local residents in surrounding villages due to the untiring efforts, determination, dedication and courage of Damodar Dulal prabhu.
By the gracious arrangements of ISKCON Juhu, the party of devotees travelled in the early morning from Mumbai and arrived at Nilachal Dham at around 10:30 am after stopping on the way at the recently constructed Sri Sri Radha Giridhari temple at Mira Road. Damodar Dulal prabhu was on hand to receive the visiting guests and garlanded both HH RP Bhakti Raghava Swami and HG Bala Krsna prabhu welcoming all the devotees.
Our first activity centered on taking darshan of the presiding Deities, Sri Sri Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra along with the more recent arrival of Sri Giri Govardhan. This was followed by an unexpected invigorating bullock cart ride with all three National Coordinators and Minister riding in the bullock cart for a quick tour of the 36 acres of land with practically all its areas being utilized for either flowers, Vegetables, Fruit trees, paddy and other crops.
After the morning breakfast Damodar Dulal prabhu took everyone on a guided tour of the kitchen that runs totally on gobar gas and then the residence area for the 10 householders staying on the property. We also visited the spacious Goshala where some 40 Gir cows are maintained very nicely. Daily, devotees send milk to the Juhu temple where devotees prepare various milk sweets such as sandesh, rasagula, sweet rice, kheer, burfy and other milk preparations. Devotees also sampled some of the local products made by Damodar Dulal prabhu’s mother and other assistants, including sundried fruits, in particular the dried chiku. Amazingly Chiku has many wonderful health benefits, some of which are listed below.
The next day devotees visited the second part of the Nilachal project some 15 Kilometers away where the devotees maintain a large orchard of Chiku fruit (Sapodilla) along with other fruit trees such as mango, jackfruit and bananas. This is home for 108 protected cows, all saved from the slaughterhouse, including one bling cow that recently gave birth to her first calf. After a sumptuous breakfast prasadam, the party left for their second rural project, Govardhan Eco Village some 50 Kilometers away.[/fusion_text][fusion_text][flickr_set images_height=”200″ id=”72157662303114394″][/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”20″ bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_title size=”2″ content_align=”left” style_type=”default” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]HEALTH BENEFITS OF CHIKU[/fusion_title][fusion_text]
- Chiku is rich in dietary fiber, may be used as a good natural laxative. Being having adequate fiber, it helps to aid in digestion thus relieves from indigestion and constipation.
- The anti-inflammatory properties of tannins present in Chikoo reduce the chances of erosive gastritis, enteritis, irritating bowel and reflux-esophagitis and gastric disorders.
- Sapodilla protects the inner lining of the mucous membrane of colon from carcinogenic toxins.
- Chiku contains Tannin, a powerful antioxidants that acts as anta-acid and contend free radicals. Tannins are effective against many diseases ant acts as anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-parasitic.
- Chiku is endowed with minerals such as potassium, copper, iron, folate, niacin, and pantothenic acid which are good for many metabolic body activities.
- Sapodilla is having vitamin E, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin B complex. These vitamins and antioxidants boost immunity of the body and also good for hair and skin.
- Vitamin E in Chiku has a chemical compound alpha-tocopherol that might reduce the risk of developing heart diseases.
- Vitamin C helps to improve your immunity and also protect you from gout and cataracts. Vitamin C, also good to provide shining skin.
- The presence of vitamin is beneficial for vision. It also helpful for lungs.
- Boiled Semi-liquid of Chico skin may be given to children to control loose motion. The ingredient is also beneficial in case of fever.
- Eating of Chico helps to relieve from congestion and cough. It is known as expectorant removal.
- Sapodilla is diuretic in nature, good in removal of waste products from the body by frequent urination. It helps in water concentration thereby prevents water retention.
- Chikoo is good for lactating mother due to essential nutrients and carbohydrate. It helps in pregnancy by overcoming nausea and dizziness.
- Sapodilla has enough calcium, phosphorous, and iron. These nutrients are helpful in strengthening of bones.
- When the crushed seeds of Chikoo are eaten, it helps to remove kidney and bladder stones because of its diuretic in nature.
http://www.gyanunlimited.com/health/health-benefits-of-chiku-sapodilla/6053/[/fusion_text][fusion_text]Reported by: HH RP Bhakti Raghava Swami from Maharashtra, India[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]