Similar saplings, but different plants.

Both these pants of Ixora (Jungle Jerenium) are in our front garden, planted at the same time five years ago.  

The first one produces larger flowers, but is still a small plant. The next one has smaller flowers but has several shoots.

Although sold to us as similar saplings, perhaps they are of different species from the family of Ixora.

It is by the 'fruits we know humans'. It is by the flowers we know a plant!

Let me tell the immediate conditioning factors affecting the two plants. The first plant is open to the sky and gets direct sunlight. I gives flowers all through the year. The second one is under the shade of two trees and receives sunlight for a short time that too filtered by the leaves of the trees. It has smaller flowers that too only after the monsoon lasting for about six months. It does not receive the optimum light and everything else while staying in the shadow of tall trees.

When one understands epigenetic, one gets a fuller picture of this contrast.  The genetics would determine the destiny, but he environment can modify the outcome considerably. 

I have known children with Trisomy 21doing extremely well when their parents have been lavish to invest on them, where as some others slip into great many difficulties from early childhood.

I feel more or less clear now that our homes are more critical than our genetics.

I feel uncomfortable that there is only little formal teaching to help parents to create a family friendly home.

Although we have a physical setting for a Family Life Centre in the department where I work, it is not operational to offer the family life education!

Family Life Education is central to the unfolding of the prospects and abilities of adults and children!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)