TAKING HOME A GREEN MESSAGE- MATUNGA

MATUNGA, AUGUST 26, 2011: This year, the Ganesh Festival will take on special meaning for four hundred and fifty children from seven schools across the city, who participated in workshops on ‘Green Ganesh’ over the last two days. The sessions were part of the Green Schools Campaign that these schools are involved in, conducted by GreenLine, the environment education-action project of Don Bosco Development Society.

The programme began on August 25, with Dominic Savio High School (Andheri) playing host to two other schools—Holy Family High School (Andheri) and Don Bosco High School (Borivli)—at a two-hour workshop. With more than two hundred children of all ages in attendance, the resource team from the Young Environmentalists Programme Trust demonstrated the process of moulding Ganesh idols from clay, and the importance of using natural, degradable decorations. The children seized the opportunity to show off their artistic skills, crafting well-made idols using only clay, flowers, leaves, and coloured grains and pulses.
 
The next session on August 26, saw an even larger number of students—two hundred and forty in all—attending the workshop. The participating schools were St. Joseph’s High School (Wadala), Auxilium Convent (Wadala), Our Lady of Good Counsel High School (Sion), and the hosts Don Bosco High School (Matunga). The GreenLine team opened the session with Fr. Savio Silveira explaining how a return to traditional, eco-friendly practices would make for a more enjoyable and environmentally safe celebration.

 After crafting their clay idols, the children couldn’t wait to share their learnings with family and friends. As Vedangi Chintawa, a ninth standard student from Our Lady of Good Counsel High School stated, ‘I’ve enjoyed my first experience making eco-friendly Ganpatis, and will share this idea with my friends’. Another participant, Karan Parmar from St. Joseph’s High School, said that ‘although all my friends and neighbours may not agree to go green, I will keep trying till I convince them’. The message of Green Celebrations was aptly summed up by the teachers from Auxilium Convent, Ms. Rukmini and Sr. Fidelis, who said, ‘The children present today are only fifty out of the total strength of our school. But we will make sure that they teach the other students and spread the message of environmental responsibility to as many people as possible’.

HOSPITALITY SKILLS TRAINING IN PUNE

PUNE, AUGUST 22, 2011:August 6, 2011 was a memorable day for the fifth batch of the Hospitality and Catering students of Don Bosco V.P.K. Chinchwad, Pune as they were facilitated on the completion of their course. Mr. H.N. Sriniwas Sr. Vice President of Taj Hotels and Resorts was the Chief Guest for the evening. He was accompanied by Mr. Vasant Ayyapan Director Sustainability, Mr. Surinder Singh - General Manager of Taj Blue Diamond, Ms. Foram Nagori Manager C.S.R. and Ms. Sunaina Checkker H.R. Taj Blue Diamond who graced the occasion.
 

The programme started with the traditional lighting of the lamp. The comparer for the evening was Mr. Alfred Rodrigues. Students of the senior batch welcomed the guests with a bouquet of flowers as a token of appreciation for their support. The Director Fr. Corlis Gonsalves introduced the guests and through a PowerPoint presentation explained the work done at the institute. This was followed by a welcome song sung by the Don Bosco choir. A meaningful skit enacted by the students who highlighted the aspect of Hope. Three of the students from the outgoing batch spoke about their experiences after joining the institute. They thanked the fathers and faculty members for all the support and encouragement they received, as they are now ready to accept and face the challenges in life more confidently.

 

The students from North East India entertained the gathering with a bamboo dance and a hip hop dance which was applauded by both the guests and the audience.

 

The Chief Guest Mr. Sriniwas addressed the students and spoke about the importance of values and commitment, disciplined behaviour at work and in life to remain happy with self and others.

  

The programme concluded with the choir singing “We shall overcome”. Mr. Sriniwas, Mr. Ayyapen and Mr. Singh gave away certificates to the students of the outgoing batch. Fr. Gonsalves thanked Mrs. Fatima Sebastian for organizing this programme. This was indeed a day of joy and achievement for the institute.

A CHALLENGING INITIATIVE TO CARE FOR THE FUTURE

Pavita Fernandes
WADALA, AUGUST 18, 2011: On August 9, 2011, Fr. Savio Silveira and his team visited our school to brief our leaders and the concerned students on the ‘Zero Garbage’ campaign initiated by the Green Line this year.

A thought-provoking power-point presentation highlighting the dangers and ill-effects caused to our Mother Earth due to the ruthless and selfish acts of human beings was projected on the screen for the participants.  The focus was yet again on the three R’s of the environment, ‘Reduce, Recycle and Re-use.’

To further this campaign, a detailed planning – by students and teachers - was necessary.  Hence the significance of certain procedures and action plans.  Fr. Silveira, together with his assistant, Miss Lyra, explained the manner of conducting a ‘Waste Audit’ in the school which would form the basis for further action.

These effective insights coupled with the accomplishment of receiving the ‘Best Initiative award’ last year, were enough motivation for our students and staff to initiate a plan for the year ahead.  The leaders are all set to carry the ‘Green line’ torch to illumine the path leading to a waste-free and clean environment.