Nestled among the lush green fields of Taleigao, Goa, is a small piece of paradise that has withstood the growing commercialization of the area. As you enter the garden, you are enveloped with serenity and calmness that is so typical of interior Taleigao. The garden is a visual treat with rows of different colors of bougainvillea, orchids, anthuriums, and coconut, mango and lemon trees. The plants are in full bloom and there is a pleasantness to the place that is devoid of any artificiality and ultra-modernity. Tucked away amidst the nursery is a tiny waterfall that gracefully winds its way to a small pond with water lilies.
You are greeted soon by the man who is the creator of this haven, Mr. Ashok Dande. Your first impression of him is his simplicity and his passion towards his work. Established more than 40 years ago, ‘Dande Gardens’ is a dream which is made a reality by Mr. Dande. A self-made horticulturist, he is a man of principles and believes in hard work and dedication to one’s profession. There is almost a childish enthusiasm about him as he eagerly shows you around the place, proudly displaying his small sanctuary. He encourages anybody who walks into his garden to buy plants or a sack of soil to first look around and enjoy his display of plants. He takes each and every visitor personally around, filling them up with interesting details of the plants and the required care. The healthy blooms around you stand as a testimony to his years of dedicated passion. He treats all his plants and trees as his children, carefully nourishing them with his love and care. The place exudes a contentment that infects anybody who enters it, and you are charmed by the pure rusticity of the place.
“People don’t understand that it takes a lot of love to grow healthy and beautiful plants. Many people just want to have gardens at home but leave them on their gardeners to tend to them, never even showing their love for the plants.”
Ashok Dande, is a horticulturist, writer, photographer and landscape artist. His unpretentious personality is heartwarming. He is very candid voicing out his opinions. “Some people feel I am very difficult to converse with but that is because I am a very straight forward person. I want people to have a passion for gardening before they decide to buy plants. Only those who love my work and trust me can visit my garden if they want”, he says assertively.
Mr. Dande is a self-professed naturalist and an expert at that. He advocates the multiple benefits of fresh coconut oil and claims that the reason he is still active and healthy at the age of 80 is because of his consumption of coconut oil every morning on empty stomach. The oil is made from the coconut trees in his garden and he uses it for cuts and wounds and as a cooking medium too. He laments that the younger generation is ignorant of the benefits of home-grown produce and yearn for global products which he feels are often not suited to our geography and climate. His homemade organic manure and liquid manure for his plants and trees are used by many satisfied customers and he promises long-lasting results with regular usage.
After a refreshing glass of cool homemade cashew fruit juice, we set out to see his roof garden. With beautifully arranged rows of plants, the terrace overlooks the lush green fields of Taleigao. He explains how he has built the walls, the stands and surrounding fencing with his own hands. He introduces me to his team of two faithful assistants who have been with him for many years and are now part of his family. He proudly proclaims that he is a welder, mason, gardener and carpenter, all rolled into one.
His conversation is frequently steered towards the growing pollution in Goa. He shows me around the garden and laments about his coconut trees and leaves of guava tree which have a thin coat of black soot. He blames the rapid commercialization of Goa and everywhere else that is affecting the environment and introducing new illnesses.
“Earth is like your mother. We should treat her with respect. Otherwise we will not survive for long”, he cautions me several times.
It was a morning well-spent, learning from this man with a simple mission in this complex world. There are very few people around us who are concerned about the changing environment and bold enough to talk against the indifference and ignorance of people. I promised him that I would put his message into my words and pass them on to whoever cares to listen, acknowledge and act on it.
