Archdiocese of Delhi, Ish Vatika, Najafgarh

Ish Vatika is an eco-spirituality centre of the Archdiocese of Delhi. Following the path of the Lord in living with harmony and caring for the nature is the primary object of the place. It would be a centre where people of all walks could come in and spent some time in quiet ambience for relaxation, renewal and rediscovery of oneself.

OBJECTIVE

1. To set up an Eco-Village – Ish Vatika in order to exhibit and promote different methods of green and clean development.
2. To make the people aware of the dangers of fertilizers and the option of alternative farming.
3. To educate and train the staff of NGOs and the students of different schools on the different methods of green and clean development
4. To work as the field laboratory for the young innovators in promoting new methods of green and clean development
5. To replicate the success stories of the Eco-village in the villages and households taking into consideration the local situation

6.  To set up a animal farm for raring cows and other dairy products to sustain the centre.

CONCEPT

In an increasingly urbanized lifestyle, people are seeking for quiet and peaceful places to relax mind and body while journeying to the inner spaces of their life. Adhering to the clarion call of Pope Francis for harmonious living and care of nature and resources, this concept of an Eco-Spirituality Centre becomes a new and relevant mission possibility in the metropolitan situation.

VISION

ISH VATIKA aims for the Integrated Spirituality and Health of persons by offering them a place for inner discovery, prayer and healthy food organically cultivated in the home farm. It would also showcase various forms of organic farming, zero waste management, renewable energy and other sustainable practices. An attempt at returning to natural living and teaching others to do likewise, thereby making the world a better place for ourselves and conserving resources for our future generations. ISH VATIKA fulfils its vision through contemplative prayer and meditation, naturopathy and yoga, as well as counselling.

1. COTTAGE

ISH VATIKA consists of ten independent cottages with state-of-the-art comfort, with twin sharing accommodation. Every cottage is about 21/12′ size, with attached bathroom, veranda and with independent lawn and flower garden (part of floriculture) hedged with poplar, and fruit bearing trees that seclude each cottage from the other. The cottages will be user and disable friendly. A narrow stream runs along the boundary of the property and the entrance to each cottage is accessed through a bridge.

2. A PLACE FOR MEDITATION

Meditation being the core of our mission, the place would enhance the spiritual nourishment for the Centre and the seeker and caters to inmates, regular and occasional visitors.

3. SECULDED COTTAGE

Counseling will play a major role in our eco spirituality centre. Urban populations face lot of problems in their lives so this cottage will serve as the counseling centre.

4. DINING AREA

Ish Vatika will provide healthy home grown, organic food as healthy eating habits lead to a healthy life. Common dining would enhance interaction with the others would nurture realization of the commonality of all human beings, enabling us to realize the common fatherhood of God. The Centre would also provide customized timing on personal request.

5. CONFERENCE ROOM-CUM-LIBRARY

A state-of-the-art conference room for  activities and sessions to be conducted for children, youth, religious, NGO’s, and other participants. It would hold various activities and sessions on organic farming, zero waste Management, renewable energy, eco-spirituality and so on. The Library will have magazines, articles, and books on the above subjects. The library also has e-literature and audio-video resources on the subject.

7. SOLAR ENERGY

Being a flagship concept in the NCR, while also catering to the needs of the Centre, ISH VATIKA aims at setting up of available renewable energy sources, which showcase various kinds of alternative energy, like solar plant, wind power, and biogas power.

8. WIND MILL

Detail: a 400 watt, station for the sample purpose

9. BIO GAS & BIO DIGESTER

The production of bio gas from the farm waste and cow dung could be another possibility of renewable energy for cooking. The installed bio digester is the simple way converting human waste into water for gardening