Indirapuram: Jyoti Monga's miniature forest and her passion for plants

What is the use of discarded tubs, baskets, CDs, and towels at home? We may throw them to buy new ones but Jyoti Monga includes them in her garden. At 50, she decided to follow her passion for gardening. Her love for plants has taken the shape of a beautiful miniature forest or balcony garden in her home at Nirala Eden society in Indirapuram.

Jyoti was a nature enthusiast since childhood but seldom got the opportunity to pursue her passion. Growing up in a large house, she was surrounded by gardens. She used to plant flowers around her house as a hobby. After marriage, household duties took her time but the love for plants never ceased. "Plants bring me peace. My husband used to bring me food because he knew how much I loved them. After waking up, I would plant seeds in my garden and sit with them for a while," says Jyoti.

Unfortunately, Jyoti lost her husband in 2014. She was the sole supporter of her children then. Jyoti wanted to take a course on garden design, but the time was not right.

After moving to Indirapuram with her son after her daughter got married in 2019, Jyoti had to leave many of her plants at her old house. Jyoti realised it was time for her to pursue her passion for gardening. She started watching creative videos on YouTube. After the pandemic set in, she started experimenting with waste materials, creating miniatures and including them in her garden.

Jyoti woke up every day at 6 am and spent time working on her decor items and balcony garden. She began by decorating water bottles and then gradually progressed to creating a variety of amazing miniatures and decorative items. She decorated a spoon stand and made a decorated fruit basket. She made a pot out of a towel and cement, and a swan pot out of oil cans.

She also made a tree house with a dry bonsai plant and many other things to decorate her home garden. Jyoti shared her creativity with her loved ones on WhatsApp and got a positive response. Her friends requested her to make a few decors for them and Jyoti gladly agreed.

Jyoti has begun making miniatures on special orders since February 2021. With this, she also has an Instagram account where she shares her craft with the community. Jyoti is also excited to set up her stall in society's Navratri celebrations.