7th June 2009, Mumbai

On July 7th 2009, Ayudh Mumbai organized its first organic compost workshop at Amrita Garden, M.A.M Mumbai, under the able support of Br. Avyamrita Chaitanya. This workshop was inspired by Amma, who has been encouraging everyone to serve nature through activities such as planting trees, starting vegetable gardens, thus being in harmony with the oneness that pervades all of creation and thereby restoring the lost balance in the nature. Around 30 Ayudh members actively participated in the workshop, which was led by Mr. Peter Allen Ash, an expert from the ecology team in Amritapuri. He shared his knowledge with regards to the methods of composting to the Ayudh members.
The workshop started with a presentation shown on  the simple technique of turning food waste into organic soil for gardens thereby utilizing our degradable waste from our daily lives and make it worth full. After the inspiring presentation, Ayudh had a practical session on the same. Ayudh had a vivid range of items to be used in the compost  such as  cow dung, dry leaves, food waste, paper, green grass, saw dust and various degradable waste. It was fun to see 30 odd youngsters have a bash with cow dung and food waste. At first Ayudh members were a bit hesitant. However, once the seva started it was a festival of waste with everyone digging in cow dung, food waste etc and wanting to give their 100% for the work. The compost was made of many layers of different degradable waste. At the top of the compost a thick layer of cow dung was spread. Ayudh members showed their creativity at its best while making their top layer with smilies drawn and motivating words written on compost.
The compost ended with the prayer “Lokah Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu – May All Beings in Creation be Peaceful and Happy”. With Amma dedicating the year June 5th 2009-June 5th 2010 as Green year, Ayudh Mumbai attempted its first step towards Amma’s vision. Ayudh plans to conduct various workshops on organic composting, gardening and vegetable farming in the near future to help making our soil more healthy and lessen the burden of waste on Mother Earth.