Hello once more!

We are pleased to present a special issue dedicated to the World Neem Conference - NEEM 2002, that was held in Mumbai last November. Even as negative travel advisories for South Asia, due to an uncertain and volatile political situation internationally, made foreign travel difficult; the Conference was attended by more than 350 Neem researchers, processors and advocates from all over the world. The coming together of the neem fraternity in such numbers was a fitting tribute to this extraordinary tree!

Speaking to the Press Prof. Schmutterer expressed his view "We tested a number of plants in the early 70's, but it soon became obvious that Neem was extra-ordinary. It had an outstanding action against harmful insects, but not against beneficial insects like the honey bee. In 97% of the cases, Neem does exactly what we want it to do - and that is the amazing part". According to Dr. P. Pushpangadan: "Over 125 chemical constituents have so far been reported from Neem........ It is perhaps the only plant in the whole plant kingdom that possesses such diverse bio-dynamic compounds having disease preventing, health promotive and curative properties".

Dr. D.D. Faye, a passionate advocate of Neem had this to say: "I have been on a marathon tour of the country, asking people to respect Neem as a natural treasure. After all, it is one of the few species that withstands and survives the desert winds that depletes the vegetation and life in Senegal"

"The Neem story is just beginning to unfold. The window of opportunity is in the next ten years" was the opinion of Dr. R.C. Saxena, Chairman, Neem Foundation. According to Dr. M.C. Gopinathan:"Presently there are more than 240 granted patents on Neem and its various applications globally (including family patents and PCT applications) in addition to pending applications".

In this issue we present an extensive pictorial coverage of NEEM 2002 along with the details of the Event. For all of our members who could not make it to the Conference, we reproduce the delightful poem specially created for the welcome address by Mr. N.B. Godrej, Chairman, Steering Committee, which was one of the highlights of the Event. In order to give direction to the Neem movement the General Body drew up a list of seventeen recommendations. The session was chaired by Dr. D.N. Tewari, Member Planning Commission, Government of India.
P.Thakkar
P.Thakkar

Editorial Board

Pramila Thakkar
Hon. Editor

Roopa Mathew
Associate Editor

Dr. S. S. Chousalkar
Hon. Tech. editor

Dr. S. R. Rahalkar
Hon. Tech. Editor

Amila Singhvi
Hon. Advisor