B - SWEET MANGO BITTER NEEM

SWEET MANGO BITTER NEEM

N.D. 31 July 2002.

'Mango or Neem' became the topic of debate between the authorities of
this particular jail and its inmates. The premises of this jail had a
huge area of vacant and unutilised land within its boundaries. A senior
jail official thought of making proper use of this land by planting
mango trees. He suggested that a thousand mango trees be planted.

At the wake of this proposal there was a division of thoughts. Some
officials and prisoners were in favour of it while some others opposed
this view. The opposition group favoured planting neem trees instead
------ the bitter neem.

The proposal of planting trees would no doubt be completed but only
after drawing a final decision on______ "Sweet Mango or Bitter
Neem".

Those who favoured the mango gave their views. They spoke of the
benefits. Suggestions focussed that the huge mango trees would provide
shade and a cool atmosphere all around it. The green ones could be used
as pickles and if produced in large quantities could be sold out to
earn some revenue. So also it could be cooked in the jail's kitchen as
chutney to be eaten at lunch or dinner. They were happy to say that at
least they could eat the ripe mangoes from 'their trees'.

Those preferring to plant neem trees spoke strongly on their
suggestion. Their primary point on the preference for the neem was
that, as the neem had rich medicinal values, its presence would cleanse
the surrounding from pollution. They also pointed out that as neem had
ayurvedic values, its leaves and the bark of the tree could be used in
preparing medicines and skin ointments with the help of Ayurveds
(ayurvedic doctors). They also said that the leaves of these trees
could be cooked and eaten as it helped to cure certain diseases.

Those having a neutral view said that in the case of the mangoes, this
could lead to indirect fights among the prisoners as to who would get
to eat the ripe ones.

On the whole it was felt that the sweet mango was more preferable than
the bitter neem. Now a majority of them spoke frankly saying that life
in prison was a bitter one. So they felt "why not enjoy a sweet moment
with the sweet mango which can make the jail life a bit sweeter at
least for a short time also".