Vadodara: The visually challenged can easily experience natural gifts now in Gujarat’s first park specifically designed for them on the MS University campus.
The diversity of plants here in such a way that they can touch, kiss and even feel it.
The University has carved this specialized facility by modifying old century botanical gardens – making it a good first sensory garden in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
For this, Braille script has been installed on standes near every variation of 22 species of plants.
“We have guarded the mat near a stable that acts as a barrier that guides the road to challenge visually visiting this park,” said Dr.
Padamnabhi Nagar, Associate Professor and Park Inspector in the Botanic Department of the Faculty of Science MSU.
“Once they stand on this mat, they have to put their right hand to read the description of each plant – general name, scientific name and use of plants like that – mentioned in Braille letters.
The script has a description in Gujarati and English.
After reading it, they only Bend to get the nuances and texture of the plant, enjoy the taste and rub it to kiss the aroma, “he said.
Varieties range from normal ‘tulsi’ to ‘ajmo’ to artimissia, known as their anti-malignant nature in Ayurveda.
“All of these plants have aroma and can be eaten too.
They can feel the sharp leaves of Nagar, the bitter leaf Kaniyatu is widely used in the Ayurvedic formulation to treat Covid-19 and leave the garden with a sweet taste of Chanothi leaves,” he said.
Interestingly, the park also has a plant called ‘Rasna’ which can be used to make drinks and act as a good heart tonic.
About 24 blind students from the Lion Blind Girls School received the first feel of this garden after being inaugurated by MSU Chancellor Shubhangini Raje Gaekwad on Monday.