BIS
Correspondent
Matunga, Mumbai, March 9, 2017: The
Green Schools Campaign 2016-2017 promoted by GreenLine came to a close with the
Awards Ceremony on March 9, 2017 held in the auditorium of Don Bosco International
School, Matunga. The renowned water conservationist Mr. Abid Surti, of Drop
Dead Foundation fame,was the Chief Guest for the occasion, while the Guest of
Honour was Father Edwin D’Souza, Chairperson of the Maschio Foundation. The
Greenest School Award went to Auxilium Convent High School, Lonavla.
A total of 50 schools from across Mumbai,
Navi Mumbai and Lonavla had participated in this seventh edition of the
Campaign which focused on the issue of water. The major topics dealt with
through the year were Water Footprint, Local Waterbodies and Water
Exploitation.
The day began with a set of workshops on
short film making, green news reporting, growing micro-greens, street theatre
and a tree walk, conducted by experts in these fields. The students could attend
any workshop of their choice. The Awards Ceremony then got underway with Father
Savio Silveira, GreenLine Director, welcoming the gathering and introducing the
dignitaries. Macson Almeida from the GreenLine team then presented an overview
of this edition of theCampaign. He described the various sessions held in the
schools, the different activities carried out by the students, and the other
events organized during the past year.
Mr. Abid Surti, addressing the students
said “There was a time when I was concerned about the condition of the river
Ganges and other global water issues.
But I realized there was little I could do about that. So, I decided to
begin by saving water in my own home and my neighbourhood.” He invited the
students to do whatever was in their capacity to make a difference to
environmental issues that they encountered daily. Father D’Souza commending the
enthusiasm of the participating schools, encouraged them to “become a force
that contributes to the greening of our world”.
The highpoint of the programme was the
announcement and giving away of the awards. The Greenest School Award went to Auxilium
Convent High School, Lonavla. Sacred Heart High School, Vashi won the First
Runner-up Award while Don Bosco High School, Borivali won the Second Runner-up
Award. Awards were also given to the ‘Greenest Student’ from each of the
participating schools.