By Poornima Bhat

Mangalore: Canara High School CBSE celebrated  ' Vanamahotsava ' on 7th July, 2012 at Bhuvanendra Hall, Dongerkery, Mangalore. Dinesh Nayak, Advisor (green belt): SEZ ltd,  Anand K, Vice President, Manipal Media Network ltd ,and Jagadish R, Station Head BIG FM 92.7 were the guests of honour.

The programme began by invoking the blessings of the Almighty with a Shloka recital by the students. Shanteri Shenoy, programme- in -charge welcomed and introduced the guests. The programme was formally inaugurated by planting the ‘Holy Basil’, a house hold remedy for common ailments by Anand K.  The other invitees, Correspondent Kochikar Sudhakar Pai, Advisor Ramesh Kedilaya and the Principal Joy J Rai, joined hands in this endeavor. In connection with the project ‘Adopt a Tree ‘, initiated by 92.7 BIG FM, saplings were distributed to the members of the eco club.

The principal Joy Rai made the session interesting by narrating a story highlighting the need to plant and grow trees. She also administered the oath on protection of trees. The students pledged to make Mangalore a greener and healthier place to live in. Ameya Kamath, student of class 7A and also a member of the eco club spoke on the role of children in planting and protecting trees.

The Hon. Correspondent,  Kochikar Sudhakar Pai spoke on the significance of planting trees. He also drew attention of the audience to the Canara emblem which portrays the picture of the ‘Kalpavriksha’ (a wish fulfilling divine tree).

Anand K advised the children to nurture the saplings distributed to them and also spoke on the importance of plants in general. The advisor  Ramesh Kedilaya recited a poem in which the tree speaks about its many uses and asks us humans, how important it is to us. He also suggested that the 92.7 BIG FM should include the slogan “GIDA NEDI, BELESI, NAADU ULLISI” in addition to “SUNO SUNAO, LIFE BANAO” in their programme.

Dinesh Nayak gave an interesting presentation listing out the many medicinal qualities of various plants. In the entertainment programme, put forth by the students of the eco club, a skit depicting the Bishnoi community of Rajasthan, who gave up their lives for the protection of trees, was dramatized. Achala Aithal, class 8B had a solo rendition on the importance of plants.

Kochikar Sudhakar Pai officially inaugurated the medicinal garden to be maintained by the members of the eco club. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Mrs. Akshata Baliga.

Shanteri Shenoy, Eco club and programme in charge compered the show in style.