Ragisudhish Guruvaywoor, 42, a microbiologist, in the vegetable gateway she and her husband created at Green Heaven Farm and Camping, Sharjah. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Ragisudhish Guruvaywoor, 42, a microbiologist, in the vegetable gateway she and her husband created at Green Heaven Farm and Camping, Sharjah. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
The couple created the site to evoke the nostalgia of rural Kerala for the UAE's Indian diaspora.
The couple created the site to evoke the nostalgia of rural Kerala for the UAE's Indian diaspora.
Sudheesh Guruvaywoor and his wife Ragisudhish want their visitors to experience something of their homeland, Kerala, which is known for its lush greenery, paddy fields, bodies of water and age-old traditions.
Sudheesh Guruvaywoor and his wife Ragisudhish want their visitors to experience something of their homeland, Kerala, which is known for its lush greenery, paddy fields, bodies of water and age-old traditions.
A woman enjoys a nostalgic Kerala experience at Green Heaven Farm and Camping in Sharjah.
A woman enjoys a nostalgic Kerala experience at Green Heaven Farm and Camping in Sharjah.
Because many people could not travel back to India because of Covid, Sudheesh created this unique space, where visitors can enjoy the nostalgia and educate their children about South Indian culture and heritage, including farming techniques.
Because many people could not travel back to India because of Covid, Sudheesh created this unique space, where visitors can enjoy the nostalgia and educate their children about South Indian culture and heritage, including farming techniques.
Planting seeds at Green Heaven Farm and Camping, Sharjah.
Planting seeds at Green Heaven Farm and Camping, Sharjah.
A visitor treads a large water wheel over a small stream used for irrigating the paddy fields at the site, an ancient practice from India.
A visitor treads a large water wheel over a small stream used for irrigating the paddy fields at the site, an ancient practice from India.
Rice grown at Green Heaven Farm.
Rice grown at Green Heaven Farm.
A little girl feeds a cow at the farm.
A little girl feeds a cow at the farm.
The tea and traditional snack stall at Green Heaven Farm.
The tea and traditional snack stall at Green Heaven Farm.
A family taking photographs at the swing at the main entrance to the farm.
A family taking photographs at the swing at the main entrance to the farm.
Another photo opportunity on a traditional wooden boat in a pond at Green Heaven Farm and Camping.
Another photo opportunity on a traditional wooden boat in a pond at Green Heaven Farm and Camping.
Visitors can experience a little bit of Kerala at Green Heaven.
Visitors can experience a little bit of Kerala at Green Heaven.
Grinding spices with a large traditional mortar and pestle, still used in many parts of India.
Grinding spices with a large traditional mortar and pestle, still used in many parts of India.
Watering is essential for the vegetable section of the farm.
Watering is essential for the vegetable section of the farm.
Views like this make it hard to believe one is in Sharjah, and not Kerala.
Views like this make it hard to believe one is in Sharjah, and not Kerala.
Doves at Green Heaven.
Doves at Green Heaven.
Sudheesh Guruvaywoor has always had a keen interest in farming and opened the site in January 2022. He still works on the farm most mornings.
Sudheesh Guruvaywoor has always had a keen interest in farming and opened the site in January 2022. He still works on the farm most mornings.
Young visitors draw water from a well using a rope and bucket from a well, similar to the experience of their peers in Kerala.
Young visitors draw water from a well using a rope and bucket from a well, similar to the experience of their peers in Kerala.
The garden gateway feature at the farm.
The garden gateway feature at the farm.

Weekend

Indian couple tame the desert to create slice of Kerala in the UAE

Organic farmers create rural idyll of rice paddies in Sharjah

  • English
  • Arabic

In the UAE, the desert has been transformed in myriad unexpected ways, but perhaps none more surprising than the farm created by Sudheesh Guruvayoor.

On land in Sharjah, the 45-year-old from India has created rice paddies, offering a slice of his home state of Kerala in the desert of the Gulf region.

Green Heaven Farms and Camping, Mr Guruvayoor’s rural idyll of water-soaked fields, also features a thatched hut, a pond ringed with sunflowers and bright red chillies growing by the dozen.

For people jaded by the hustle and bustle, traffic jams and high-rises of modern city life, there could be no better escape.

“Here I am, a one-man army who tamed the hot soil of the UAE to create my ‘Garden of Eden’, planting and harvesting seeds for future generations,” Mr Guruvayoor said.

“I used my spare time to plant household vegetables and have succeeded in cultivating [a rice] paddy and wheat in Sharjah.”

Mr Guruvayoor, who is married with two children, created the farm in the Al Zubair district of Sharjah after taking a long lease on the 1.5-hectare site from the Emirati owner in October last year.

Grinding spices with a large traditional mortar and pestle, still used in many parts of India, at Green Heaven Farm and Camping, Sharjah. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Grinding spices with a large traditional mortar and pestle, still used in many parts of India, at Green Heaven Farm and Camping, Sharjah. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Achieving the dramatic transformation took only a few months and the farm opened in late January.

Mr Guruvayoor’s inspiration for the project came from Covid-19 restrictions on flights. With families finding it harder to travel back to India, he decided to recreate a familiar countryside scene in the UAE.

But since opening this year, the farm has attracted people from a wide range of nationalities.

The plot includes a mini-waterfall, a pond with a boat where visitors can sit, an organic vegetable garden and a traditional hut made from coconut palm fronds that visitors can pay to stay in.

A young girl feeds a cow at Green Heaven in Sharjah. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
A young girl feeds a cow at Green Heaven in Sharjah. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Other features include a large water wheel, a well and a viewing platform with views out over the farm.

The Green Heaven Farm additionally has banana plants, coconut trees, a barbecue area, a tea shop and a vegetable shop.

As well as the rice and chillies, other vegetables, including cabbages, are grown at the farm using organic methods. The farm is also home to animals such as rabbits, ostriches, pigeons, lovebirds and emus.

To add an authentic touch of Kerala, there are road signs highlighting towns in the state, including Thrissur and Guruvayoor.

A woman enjoys a feeling of nostalgia, echoing the experience of life in her homeland, India. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
A woman enjoys a feeling of nostalgia, echoing the experience of life in her homeland, India. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

The farm is open to the public from 8.30am to 6.30pm seven days a week, with Saturdays and Sundays being the busiest. Entry costs Dh20 for adults, and is free for young children and pensioners.

Mr Guruvayoor, a former electrical engineer, has lived in the UAE since 1997. His wife Ragi, 42, runs a microbiology laboratory at Sharjah Corniche Hospital, and the couple have a son, Shreyas, 19, and a daughter, Shradha, 16.

“We believe that the fast life of the city should be complemented with the placidity of a village and this is what Green Heaven Farms tries to provide its visitors,” Mr Guruvayoor said.

Looking after Green Heaven Farms and Camping is not Mr Guruvayoor’s main job ― he manages an organic farm in Dubai and a team of staff run the site in Sharjah.

Kerala itself has a tradition of rice production that dates back thousands of years, although from the 1980s cultivation began to dwindle as coconut and rubber became more popular crops.

Efforts have been made, however, to reverse the decline, both to reduce dependence on food supplies from other parts of India and to achieve environmental benefits, because the paddy field system provides drainage for flood waters and is credited with preserving some plants and animals.

The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo 4-cyl

Transmission: eight-speed auto

Power: 190bhp

Torque: 300Nm

Price: Dh169,900

On sale: now 

The national orchestra
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While you're here
Wicked: For Good

Director: Jon M Chu

Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater

Rating: 4/5

While you're here
On Women's Day
World Cup final

Who: France v Croatia
When: Sunday, July 15, 7pm (UAE)
TV: Game will be shown live on BeIN Sports for viewers in the Mena region

The specs: 2018 Ducati SuperSport S

Price, base / as tested: Dh74,900 / Dh85,900

Engine: 937cc

Transmission: Six-speed gearbox

Power: 110hp @ 9,000rpm

Torque: 93Nm @ 6,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 5.9L / 100km

UAE v Gibraltar

What: International friendly

When: 7pm kick off

Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

Admission: Free

Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page

UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)

Company%C2%A0profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPyppl%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEstablished%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2017%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAntti%20Arponen%20and%20Phil%20Reynolds%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20financial%20services%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2418.5%20million%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEmployees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20150%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20series%20A%2C%20closed%20in%202021%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20venture%20capital%20companies%2C%20international%20funds%2C%20family%20offices%2C%20high-net-worth%20individuals%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Could%20We%20Be%20More
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
World%20Food%20Day%20
%3Cp%3ECelebrated%20on%20October%2016%2C%20to%20coincide%20with%20the%20founding%20date%20of%20the%20United%20Nations%20Food%20and%20Agriculture%20Organisation%2C%20World%20Food%20Day%20aims%20to%20tackle%20issues%20such%20as%20hunger%2C%20food%20security%2C%20food%20waste%20and%20the%20environmental%20impact%20of%20food%20production.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here
How to report a beggar

Abu Dhabi – Call 999 or 8002626 (Aman Service)

Dubai – Call 800243

Sharjah – Call 065632222

Ras Al Khaimah - Call 072053372

Ajman – Call 067401616

Umm Al Quwain – Call 999

Fujairah - Call 092051100 or 092224411

While you're here
While you're here
From Europe to the Middle East, economic success brings wealth - and lifestyle diseases

A rise in obesity figures and the need for more public spending is a familiar trend in the developing world as western lifestyles are adopted.

One in five deaths around the world is now caused by bad diet, with obesity the fastest growing global risk. A high body mass index is also the top cause of metabolic diseases relating to death and disability in Kuwait,  Qatar and Oman – and second on the list in Bahrain.

In Britain, heart disease, lung cancer and Alzheimer’s remain among the leading causes of death, and people there are spending more time suffering from health problems.

The UK is expected to spend $421.4 billion on healthcare by 2040, up from $239.3 billion in 2014.

And development assistance for health is talking about the financial aid given to governments to support social, environmental development of developing countries.

 

New UK refugee system

 

  • A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
  • Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
  • A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
  • To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
  • Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
  • Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
Teri%20Baaton%20Mein%20Aisa%20Uljha%20Jiya
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirectors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amit%20Joshi%20and%20Aradhana%20Sah%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECast%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Shahid%20Kapoor%2C%20Kriti%20Sanon%2C%20Dharmendra%2C%20Dimple%20Kapadia%2C%20Rakesh%20Bedi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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if you go

The flights
Flydubai offers three daily direct flights to Sarajevo and, from June, a daily flight from Thessaloniki from Dubai. A return flight costs from Dhs1,905 including taxes.
The trip 
The Travel Scientists are the organisers of the Balkan Ride and several other rallies around the world. The 2018 running of this particular adventure will take place from August 3-11, once again starting in Sarajevo and ending a week later in Thessaloniki. If you’re driving your own vehicle, then entry start from €880 (Dhs 3,900) per person including all accommodation along the route. Contact the Travel Scientists if you wish to hire one of their vehicles. 

Adele: The Stories Behind The Songs
Caroline Sullivan
Carlton Books

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

The bio

Academics: Phd in strategic management in University of Wales

Number one caps: His best-seller caps are in shades of grey, blue, black and yellow

Reading: Is immersed in books on colours to understand more about the usage of different shades

Sport: Started playing polo two years ago. Helps him relax, plus he enjoys the speed and focus

Cars: Loves exotic cars and currently drives a Bentley Bentayga

Holiday: Favourite travel destinations are London and St Tropez

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Scoreline

Syria 1-1 Australia

Syria Al Somah 85'

Australia Kruse 40'

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-finals, second leg:

Liverpool (0) v Barcelona (3), Tuesday, 11pm UAE

Game is on BeIN Sports

On Women's Day
Grand slam winners since July 2003

Who has won major titles since Wimbledon 2003 when Roger Federer won his first grand slam

Roger Federer 19 (8 Wimbledon, 5 Australian Open, 5 US Open, 1 French Open)

Rafael Nadal 16 (10 French Open, 3 US Open, 2 Wimbledon, 1 Australian Open)

Novak Djokovic 12 (6 Australian Open, 3 Wimbledon, 2 US Open, 1 French Open)

Andy Murray 3 (2 Wimbledon, 1 US Open)

Stan Wawrinka 3 (1 Australian Open, 1 French Open, 1 US Open)

Andy Roddick 1 (1 US Open) 

Gaston Gaudio 1 (1 French Open)

Marat Safin 1 (1 Australian Open)

Juan Martin del Potro 1 (1 US Open)

Marin Cilic 1 (1 US Open)

THE BIO

Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old

Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai

Favourite Book: The Alchemist

Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail

Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna

Favourite cuisine: Italian food

Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman

 

 

Updated: June 11, 2022, 3:06 PM
SharjahUAEIndia