‘Drumsticks can help tackle malnutrition’

AMRAVATI: The drumsticks (shevga or mungna beans) that are added to kadhi and sambar or made into a spicy sabzi may also help in alleviating malnutrition, a problem on which the government has been spending crores of rupees, but has had mixed results.
Now, a 12-year-old city boy has come up with a research project that says drumstick trees can help remove malnutrition.The research project submitted by Std VI student, Shivendoo Deshmukh, at the state-level Dr Homi Bhabha Bal Vaidnyanik Science Talent Search competition earned him a gold medal on National Science Day. He received the medal from ISRO scientist Suresh Naik at Yeshwantrao Chavan Natya Mandir, Matunga in Mumbai. He topped a field of around 45,000 participants from across the state to win the gold.
“After my written tests, I was given ‘nature’ as a subject for my practicals. I had planted a drumstick tree at the backyard of my house five years ago and found that the drumsticks rich in vitamins. My district is infamous for malnutrition, especially the Melghat belt. But I found malnutrition in Malkhed village of Chandur Railway tehsil, too,” he said. Shivendoo visited the place and checked the vitamins the malnourished kids were being fed at the anganwadis there. “Then I checked the properties of drumsticks and found that they contained vitamins in more quantity than what the medicines given to the malnourished kids contained,” said the boy.
“If the families of malnourished children plant a drumstick tree in their backyards, not only would the kids get vitamins in ample measure but the tree’s leaves would also make nutritious fodder for livestock,” he said.
Shivendoo dispelled the misconception that the consumption of drumsticks reduces the effect of medicines. “There is no evidence to prove it. On the contrary, they are rich in vitamins and extremely effective for malnourished children,” he said.
Shivendoo, who excels in basic science, had won accolades at several science competitions as well. He wishes to become a scientist and serve the nation.
He is a son of Lata and Abhijit Deshmukh. “ My mother is my guide,” he says with pride and adds,” I am ready to help other students also who wish to make a mark in science competitions.”