Report by Jacintha D’Costa

Mangalore: Gonzaga School undertook the Second Monthly Project on ' Vanamahotsava ' with the theme “Nurture Nature for the Future” . All through  the July month, the Gonzagans have been sowing seeds of growing plants and branching out to newer vistas of plant more, cut less and save more. The project was brimful with interesting activities related to saving and nurturing trees and also aimed at spreading awareness on 'vanamohotsava' , and the role they can play to preserve this lovely planet. The children showed their passion to preserve Nature through their essays, speeches, paintings, creative writing, and through captions.

The culmination of the project took place on 28. 07.2012 at the Loyola hall with Clifford Lobo - the Forest Range Officer of D.K. as the chief guest who stressed in making Mangalore green through the project “Hasiru Mangaluru”. The other dignitaries on the dais were Rev.Fr. Elvis Lewis SJ who presided over the function, Rev .Fr. Michael John SJ and the Principal  Grace Noronha.

The finale was informative, educative and also made enjoyable through the scintillating show performed by the students especially the theme dance on saving and nurturing trees.

The special attraction of this project was the creation of Gonzaga forest. The Principal, Grace Noronha had envisioned a dream of creating a special day by planting saplings like Teak, Mango, Almond and “Renja” (minusops Elengi) . Plant species of the western ghats  were also distributed to the students. It was an earnest effort of the school to propagate the message of ' vanamahotsava ' to the younger generation to nurture nature for the future which will bear fruit in the years to come.

Parents expressed their views and aspirations towards the school. A forest song guided by our Principal was sung by the entire school with a message to plant and save forests through small individual actions. The students with the collaboration of the teachers pledged to love, defend, nurture and preserve trees. The programme was compered by  Jacintha D’costa.