Bengal Govt to gift 51 varieties of rice to ISKCON

Kolkata, Sep 6: West Bengal Government will give the Mayapur-based ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) 51 varieties of rice. These would be planted on the 100 acres where ISKCON cultivates paddy. After a request from ISKCON, the state government has come forward with providing it with 51 varieties of rice which will be grown organically, the official sources here today said. The government will also provide them with expert advice. Among the varieties to be provided are Dadshal, Radhatilak, Gobindabhog, Keralasundari and others. Most of these are indigenous varieties, also known as folk rice varieties, and are highly nutritious; many are also aromatic. The state government, by itself and also in collaboration with some scientific organisations, is trying to revive these varieties. Gifting ISKCON these 51 varieties is part of that effort. UNI