International Friendship Day and Spices that give flavour to our food

Hi,

The Spice Garden was officially launched at our school on 20th of April during the International Friendship Day Celebrations.

The whole school was assembled at the Hall at 7.30 am to view the 16 types of spice plants on display. International pupils in our school carried their countries' flags and marched up to the planters on display and a ceremonial planting ceremony was carried out. Please see the photographs below:

Mr Raj, Discipline Master, getting the students and staff, ready for the day's event.	Mdm Santhi, HOD for National Education, speaking to the school assembled in the Hall. She was in her element that morning, breaking into a song to get us into the mood for the day.
Students wait in anticipation.	Mdm Aini, the Principal, spoke on the strategic geographic position of Singapore and the importance of friendship with our neighbours for our survival and prosperity.
Students have more food for thought than the usual diet of academic subjects and assignments.	16 countries and their signature spices and herbs used in their cuisines.
NE advocate student councilor Nanthini spoke about importance of international friendship amongst the 10 ASEAN countries.	Mdm Aini will next plant turmeric plants into the pot designated for Singapore. Looking on are Mdm Sri and Mrs Ng-tee.
Mdm Aini is watering the planted turmeric plants to give them nourishment.	International students from our school, carrying their country flags, stand next to their spice plants.
Pandan for Malaysia, spirng onions for Myanmar, mustard for the Philippines...	Basil for Cambodia, galangal for Indonesia...
Torch ginger for Laos and many more.

Mdm Aini, the Principal, planted the turmeric plants into the planter labeled Singapore.

Get to know the spices that give flavour to our foods.

You are invited to view these spice plants in our Spice Garden situated between Blocks B and C in our school.

ASEAN Countries

1	Brunei	lime
2	Cambodia	basil
3	Indonesia	galangal
4	Laos	Torch ginger
5	Malaysia	pandan
6	Myanmar	spring onion
7	Philippines	mustard
8	Singapore	turmeric
9	Thailand	lemon grass
10	Vietnam	mint

Non-ASEAN countries

11	Korea	chili
12	China	ginger
13	India	curry leaf
14	Pakistan	coriander
15	Mongolia	onion
16	Nepal	garlic

As most of the spice plants named above are herbaceous, they live for only a few months. Their life cycles are short. As such they need to be propagated and harvested frequently. Likewise, friendships need to be nurtured, don't you think?

Cheers

ps: I would like to acknowledge the contribution of Bollywood Veggies Pte Ltd for their help and donation of many of the spice plants for our Spice Garden. Thank you.