Paradise regained

Aparna Banerji
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, February 2

In the verdant ‘paradise’ of Aruna Walia, birds chirp all day, tall plants sway and bells constantly chime as the sun floods her preciously conserved little urban forest.

Former professor, musician and artist, Walia’s perfectly manicured haven is a sight for sore eyes. Her sprawling lawns are dotted by at least 20 varieties of sunflowers. Roses, dahlias, pansies, petunias and a host of other flowers that she can’t keep a track of are her other prized possessions.

A professor for many years, she tended to hordes of plants at her residence in Jalandhar and took these to her husband’s official accommodation when she shifted.

Now, the residence has been transformed by her choicest plant collection.

Along with flowers, the property is dotted with an array of trees laden with fruits. A kitchen garden provides organic greens for the home.

Her fruit trees include mangoes, amla, rosemerc, black berries (shehtoot), lemons, peaches, mandarins, guavas and heart-leaved moonseed (giloy) among others.

While Walia is an ardent environment lover, she recycles used goods in her garden. Old tyres, pots, grills have been reclaimed and used to plant trees and saplings.

A mix of gardening and artistry, her shrubbery features tyres done up in various hues, old pots and wind chimes. Her favourite spot is a canopy in the middle of the lawn set up with the broken branches of her own tree.

Aruna says: “I have at least 250 pots and vases and a number of trees. Many are from the days I lived on rent and planted trees at home in Jalandhar. The garden is my favourite place in the house. Much of the plantation is being done on reclaimed tyres and pots. Plants give me an immense calm.”

She also asks people not to waste things. “Some men were throwing away the old grills from an under-construction guest house in the neighbourhood. I asked them not to throw these away. Now, I’m using those for the beautification of my home. Waste and scrap if used creatively can really lift the look of a garden. We must work to reduce our carbon footprint.”