Jabalpur 1-2 Dec: 150 Postgraduate Management students of Xavier Institute of Management Jabalpur (XIMJ) spent two days on the Ecological Dimensions of Management. Led by the Director Fr. Ranjit Tigga S.J, along with the head of the Ecological department, Fr. Sebastian Lakra SJ, and a core-group of students they organized the Seminar on Ecology in the newly added Loyola Hall in the roomy campus.

Impressive venue: Loyola Hall of XIMJ

Dr. Mudita Sodder RSCJ along with Fr. Robert Athickal S.J from Tarumitra led the reflections starting with the Mosquito Paradigm to explain the importance of bio-diversity in our day to day life. The staff and students were rapt with attention, making a few interventions to clear the cobwebs in their own heads. They warmed up to the newly acquired ideas and immediately decided to put into practice some of them. Among the follow up Action Plans, the promise to conserve electricity stood out.

Some of the participants inside the State of the Art Auditorium

The core committee of staff and students were soon talking about ways and means of brining changes in the day to the day living in the campus. Being students of Management, they can easily play a vital role in the proper use of electricity in their future assignments as managers.

Some of the students and Staff at recession posing for a pic

The Academic community also planted two Fishtail Palms in the campus, led by the Director. This they said would be a living reminder of loving Mother Earth and living in harmony and peace with her. Students have innovative ways of doing things. Small steps are a sure path to success!

Frs. Ranjit Tigga S.J along with Fr. Robert Athickal Planting a Fish Tail Palm in the campus

known as a premiere Management institution in the State, XIMJ was keen to blaze a trail of innovation. Already they have a whole department working on Ecology under the leadership of Fr. Sebastian Lakra S.J. The Tarumitra team came away with great hope that the Institute will incorporate the sustainable paradigm in their management practices.

The famed Balancing Rock of Jabalpur: Need to keep our earth in balance!

Already, Alok John a first year XIMJ student who came home to Patna for Christmas holidays, visited Tarumitra spending three hours of his short holiday, enthralled by the unique 10 acre Bio-reserve.
He along with his friends hold the key to the future.

The Core-group who takes leadership for the future of a green management with the Director Ranjit Tigga S.J (left)

Jabalpur has been a tourist center for the famed marble rocks and River Narmada gushing through the rocky walls from times immemorial. The city of Jabalpur has been under pressure to accommodate the large influx of lakhs of tourists who leave behind mountainous garbage in the process. “We need better management practices” mused the head of the Deptt. of Ecology Fr. Sebastian Lakra.

Students of Arunodaya attended  workshop

Patna. 7 Dec: 20 students of Arunodaya spent three days at an intensive Workshop on the Ecological Dimensions of Development. Kanchan Kumar Pathak and Ramesh IMS along with Dr. Mudita helped the students to see the development paradigms and the crucial role ecology plays especially in the rural areas.
The directress Sr. Roselyn SCN has been taking regular interest in getting her students sensitized on ecology ever since the Institute opened its campus in Patna.

File pic of environmentalist Kanchan Pathak interacting with Arunodaya students

         Visakhapatnam Convention
                of Andhra Students

Vizag. 10 Dec: Over 1,000 students turned up from eleven schools of the city and suburbs at the Tarumitra Convention held in the spacious auditorium of the Ukkunagaram Club. Organized by the students, staff and the Principal, Fr. Sebastian Vettickal of De Paul School, Vishakapatnam, the venue was overflowing with students. Additional General Manager of the Vizag Steel Plant was the Chief Guest.

Vizag Ukkunagaram Convention of students: Future active!

Many things stood out. The play by the De Paul students on Biodiversity captured everybody’s attention and set the tone for the day. Sr. Prema did a good presentation on the Campaign to save Electricity. It was great to see a thousand hands going up to wave their support to the campaign of Shweta for conserving power.

Green author of textbooks on Environment, Sr. Prema challenging a thousand students

Delivering a keynote address, Thomas Poothara TOR floated the idea of a Tarumitra National Convention in Vishakapatnam sometime next year. The audience gave a standing ovation to the idea!

The group led by Fr. Sebastian Vettickal (right) takes up the challenge of hosting a National Convention

Earlier on the previous day, there was a mini-convention at St Francis, Madhurwada where the Tarumitra team had the whole school talking about the conservation of bio-diversity.

Sr. Prema addressing the students of St. Francis Madhurwada

A veteran of the many Tunza programs of the United Nations, Thomas Poothara TOR promised to get the fire of ecology going in in Madhurwada region.

Montfort Educationists attend Retreat on Eco-spirituality

Patna. 20 Dec: Twenty educationists of the Montfort Brothers of St. Gabriel travelled all the way to Patna from Hyderabad and Nagpur to make a week long Retreat on Ecospirituality. Led by the veteran Bro. Lambert, the group spent quality time with nature.

Educationist Montfort Brothers run some of the most famous schools in the country

The advent of the unpredicted cold waves did create a problem to organize the usual outdoor programs. Yet the group were buoyant and had their evening liturgies outside around bonfires. Incidentally, this was the second retreat Tarumitra was organizing for the Montfort Brothers. Earlier a bigger number from the twin provinces of Pune and Hyderabad spent a week in Hyderabad on the same themes.

The Hyderabad Retreat organized some imaginative liturgies outdoors!

Many of the participants made Action Plans to carry out programs on ecology in their respective places.

It may be mentioned that the  Montfort schools have trained some of the very famous leaders in the country. The cricket wizard Asharuddin and Marxist  ideologue Sitaram Yerchury are alumni of the prestigious All Saints School, Hyderabad.

Marriage of trees to the wells in Bhurkunda, Jharkhand

Bhurkunda. 22 Dec: Hundreds of Tarumitra students took part in the Eco-camp led by Fr. Saju Bastian S.J and Sr. Anupam  H.C along with Ramesh IMS and Kanchan Pathak from Patna. As part of the camp, the students organized the marriage of trees to the wells in the region.

Students apply colors on the bridegroom the tree by the well!

33 kilometers from the Capital of Jharkhand, Ranchi, Bhurkunda is surrounded by  coal mines.  And the famous thermal power station Pataratu. Students from Loyola and Pawan Krus Girl High school participated in the two day workshop. Bhurkunda has the biggest glass factory in the country and the second largest in Asia.

Paying homage to Water: students carrying pot of Water for the marriage of the well

Recently returned, after a memorable encounter with the Adivasis of  Guelph, Canada Fr. Saju was impressed by the Tarumitra tradition of organizing the marriages of trees and wells. A time tested ritual in every Hindu marriage, the ceremony symbolized the harmony that exists in nature. Every human marriage takes place against the background of the “marriage of trees and wells.”

Acting high priest of the earth: Saju Bastian S.J

Explaining the custom, Kanchan Pathak said, “Trees and wells are symbiotically related. Where there are trees, there is water and vice versa.” Every human marriage takes place against the primordial marriage (intimate relationship) between trees and water. “We are appreciating the connections we have with the Earth when we enact the marriage of trees and wells!” said Bro. Ramesh IMS who led the Tarumitra delegation to Bhurkunda.

Marriage procession: the Tribal drums came alive!

The Principal of the Pawan Krus Girls High School, Sr. Anupam said that she felt drawn to the ceremony. She said that the elaborately enacted ritual gave the students a spirituality that would build up the planet. Boys and girls represented the bridegroom and the bride through singing and dancing. “It was a real marriage!” said Simmi Kumari, a class 8 student.

A dance for the newly wedded bride and bridgroom: students of Pawan Krus

Having been a spot of intense exploitation of the Earth, Bhurkunda needs more than a few students to bring back life into the region. “Though we supply the best coal and the best glass to the country, nobody returns  to find out if we are happy in this township!” said Triloki Badaik and Akash Lohra of the Catholic Ashram School.

The 19 member Tarumitra Delegates in front of 1500 Delegates from across the Globe

Indian delegation in their colorful traditional ethnic dresses

Tarumitra-wise, two from Darjeeling, one from Vishakapatnam, two from Bangalore, eight from West Champaran, one from Lucknow and five from Patna participated in the event. Yugratna from Tarumitra Lucknow who addressed the world leaders at the U.N in 2009 participated as the lone delegate from Tarumitra to the Youth conference.

Yugratna (Centre) along with the Indian Embassy officials at the conference

The afternoon flight to Indonesia on 26th took the group to the capital city of Jakarta by sun down. There was an official welcome committee at the airport and they facilitated the late night three hours trip to Bandung.

The midnight flight from Kolkata and a long halt in Bangkok forced many to take occasional cat naps: Vasundhara from Patna totally oblivious of the Bangkok din and buzzle1

The Indonesian welcome group was in special T-shirts were very hospitable and friendly, asked the delegates to take a fast supper and brace for a three hour ride on a bus to the venue of the conference in the city of Bandung. After the students purchased the local currency rupiahs and a hurried dinner the group moved out to the city in the night. By the time the bus rolled out along with other fellow delegates from Russia, Singapore, Germany and Canada, the children were fast asleep. Many like Adel, Sushmit and Asad were fascinated by the nightscape and sat watching the city. The city certainly looked like any developed Western city.

Indonesia was exotic in every sense. The local students were overflowing with hospitality and goodwill

By the time the delegation was photographed and registered in Hotel Jayakarta and Holiday Inn it was wee hours of morning. When the alarms rang up early morning it was a herculean task for the students to get up and eat their first Indonesian breakfast. It was time to hop into buses which took them to the well-arranged hall where the inaugural ceremony was to take place.

Excitement was everywhere! Delegates registering and getting their photo-IDs

Right in the bus, the local volunteers made announcement that an Officer from the Indian Embassy was waiting to meet the Indian delegation. Pradeep Gupta of the Indian Diplomatic Service turned out to be an amiable friendly man who took a ten hour ride just to welcome the Tarumitra delegation to Indonesia. He sat down with the contingent when the dignitaries arrived one after another for the opening ceremonials. Honerable Vice-president of the country was the chief guest.

Indian Diplomat Pradeep Gupta (2nd from right) between Sudeshna Pradhan and Robert Athickal S.J

When the ceremonial speeches were being trolled out, some of the group were feeling very sleepy. Ms Sudeshna from Darjeeling and Sr. Irene D’Souza from Holy Cross School took a side exit to a coffee shop downstairs selling the famed Indonesian coffee. The price of the coffee left them flummoxed! 20,000 rupiahs for a cup of coffee. This meant a person can take just five cups for one lakh rupiahs. The Indian diplomat consoled them that the coffee costed just about 100 Indian rupees. He taught the students as how to calculate the equivalent amount in Indian rupees: delete the last three zeros and then multiply it with 5! Later one of them, Thomas Poothara TOR found out a local chaiwallah was selling the same coffee for 3000 rupiahs i.e Rs 15. One cannot but remember the story of milliions of Italian lira needed to purchase small things. In other words, one can become a karorepati if they have a thousand dollars in Indonesia.

Chaperon Sudeshna Pradhan stealing time for a brunch with some delegates

Everything said, the conference has been a celebration of cultures and countries. On the first day when all delegates arrived donning national costumes, there was an atmosphere of a global festivity. They spoke all languages and this necessitated translations. One of the Chaperons, Dainy Cherian mentioned that she wished that the organizers paid more attention to this aspect and buried some of the bureaucratic procedures.

The whole world is a family "Vasudhaiva kudumbakam"

Chaperons mainly consisting of teachers got ample chances to discuss ecology

Imagine 1500 persons belonging to four categories: Children, Youth, Organizers and U.N officials sharing a single building for varieties of meetings! Buses disgorge them from different hotels at pre-assigned time early morning. The whole group disperses into a dozen halls for meetings and activities. For an outsider the whole thing looks total insanity. But everybody knew their ways and timings.

Eco-cultural fiesta in the wild: Ceremonial procession of Saplings to plnated

Planting trees in Indonesia: City Forest Campaign of the local Mayor

Program mainly consisted of :
Day 1 (Green Economy)
Day 2 (Sustainable Consumption)
Day 3 (Forest)
Day 4 Field Trip
It is very difficult to write a summary of what took place in the five long days here in Indonesia. To be short, everything worked out fine.

Bernadette Mukonyora from Rome engaging Youth about returning to Agriculture back home

There were many workshops and side events. The purpose of the whole meeting attended by 1500 students and Chaperones from 120 countries was to bring out a Resolution to be sent to the United Nations. From day one, the assembly struggled on formulating the Draft and finally the Bandung Declaration (http://uncsd.iisd.org/news/unep-tunza-conference-develops-bandung-declaration/).

Bernadette Mukonyora from IFAD, Rome (middle) made an earnest plea to the youth to go back to Organic farming as a career

The whole area surrounding the campus is cordoned off by police. While traveling on a taxi to the venue students and chaperones were checked several times. The ID card that dangled on their necks alone allowed one to negotiate the way in.

Sudeeksha (De Paul Vizag) from Vizag was totally charmed by the Indonesian Police officers!

Snacks were provided at intervals and lunch and supper at fixed times on the roof top of the halls. Every meal was accompanied by singing in different lingos. This noon there were bunches of Indians and Indonesians singing Hindi songs. Hindi songs and actors like Shahrukh Khan were very popular here.

West Champaran gang from Bihar led by Ravi Kr leading Terrace dancing during meals!

Keeping up with the tradition of dancing, a Tarumitra from Bangalore, Albert enthused the large assembly on the last day when he pirouetted on the stage dancing the famous Jai Ho of A. R Rahman. The audience turned delirious and cheered him to carry on.

Bangalore Tarumitra student, Albert Antony's scintillating dance of "Jai Ho" was well applauded

1500 delegates danced with Albert's Jai Ho piece!

One morning the Chaperons were herded into buses for shopping in the large market places. The guides told them to bargain heavily by starting with 25% of the prices they quoted! Denis Rodericks from KR High school Bettiah said that it was more like the markets in India and therefore it was easy to bargain!

Things were as expensive as India. One said that that there were many more choices here since provisions arrive here from China, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan. Some found quite a few varieties of fruits they have not seen earlier. There was the jackfruit like Dorian, the round fruit that tastes like Litchi, giant raspberries, livid violets etc.
Some of the chaperones like Mr. Ravi from St. Xavier’s Champaran could not make up their minds as what to buy!

The elections for the Youth Board took place. Yugratna was our best bet. But she could not contest since she was under age! A girl from Bangalore was chosen to represent India.
There was a training for children as well as chaperones to face the TV cameras with confidence. That was rather unnerving but very useful.

Chaperon Thomas Poothara TOR feeling confident as a TV Newsreader!

There were also many moments for fun and laughter. For example, when the groups returned to their respective hotels, they got more time to unwind. Many of the Indian delegation who stayed in Hotel Jayakarta had whale of a time in their large swimming pool. One heard loud peals of laughter and excited screams for hours. The Chaperones had a hard time to get them back to their beds.

Hotel Jayakarta offered the students plenty of time to unwind in their spacious swimming pool in the evenings!

Simran took her swimming lessons from Ms Sudeshna

“Bidding farewells on the last day was tough” said Simran from Bettiah. She was not exaggerating. It was difficult to come back from a lovely dream called Tunza!

Indonesia, we love you!

Tarumitra salutes the United Nations Environment Programe (UNEP) team especially Theodore Oben, Joyce Sang, Alice Chege and Edgar.

Engineers of BSRDC taking a study tour of Bio-diversity

The group arrived by ten in the morning and spent time on the issues of ecology till 4 PM. They were taken through two sets of PowerPoint presentations on an eco-friendly way of living life in the modern times. Bio-diversity as the pillar of life appealed to them especially when they took a tour of the campus.
A team led by Shweta Marandi, the Hero of the Month of the United Nations, along with Sankriti of Carmel school unlocked before the assembled engineers a well prepared presentation on the need to conserve electricity. Shweta quoted what the deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, Sushil Kumar Modi said earlier in a public meeting that the biggest problem of the State was power supply. She reminded them that the State needed to produce 80% more electricity in the coming decade. Since coal linkages were not available, the State neither was able to produce the required energy nor in a situation to purchase more power from elsewhere.

Shweta keeping the Engineers spell-bound with her intense campaigns for saving power!

As a person who helped to organize the outing to the Bio-resever, R.P Singh felt that it was the need of hour that all the staff of his department make every effort to conserve the power. Brajesh Mishra felt that Shweta and Sanskriti were doing something which has touched his heart and he promised to save electricity in his office. Neeraj Saxena who co-ordinated a similar workshop when he was working at the State Bridge Construction Corporation said that he kept of pushing the agenda in the past one year with some visible success in his department. He also said that people were careless in many departments on the use of electricity since the bills are paid by the State. Jyoti Srivastava promised to keep reminding his colleagues on the need to push the campaign to other areas of their work.

Engineers taking a serious look at the Solar devices

The Corporation Chief and Secretary to the Bihar Government, Pratyay Amrit thanked the girls for their initiative and promised to support them in other departments of the government. He joined a well prepared vegetarian meal along with his staff and later toured the campus stopping by the bottle house under construction.

Tarumitra team with the Secretary of the Road Construction Dept, Sri Pratyay Amrit IAS (center)

Shweta and Sanskriti wants to reach out to many other departments of the Government of Bihar. Earlier she addressed the Bihar Bridge Construction Corporation which gave her assurance of co-operation. “A big chunk of the total electricity supply to the State capital is consumed by the administration” said Sanskriti.

Shweta earlier addressed a meeting of the Engineers of the Bihar Bridge Construction Corporation

Present also were Rajesh Kumar, Chiranjeev Kumar , D.N Prasad, Kanchan Pathak, Margaret Molomoo, the volunteers from Zamorano University Honduras Yanira, Alberto, Nivardo, Luis and Fr. Robert Athickal S.J

Painting done by one of the students, Utkarsh Datta Class VI of BPS

Shweta Marandi , a Tarumitra student leader from Mount Carmel, who compered the program said that our ancestors knew the delicate interdependence of the trees and water tables. They solemnized this symbiotic relationship of trees and water by organizing their wedding at every Hindu marriage where the priest presided over the marriage of the well to a tree along with the nuptials of the boy and the girl. “Every human marriage is protected by the greater wedding of the trees to the wells!” said Sanskriti Chauhan, another student.

Shweta Marandi, Mount Carmel explaining the concept of the Marriage of a Well to a tree

As part of the celebration students came in groups and organized the waving of lamps (aarti) both to the “bride” and “bridegroom” along with other rituals of a regular marriage. They exchanged garlands on behalf of the large Kamroop tree( Ficus retusa) and the ancient well.

Bhavana, of Hartmann leading the Aaarti and the garlanding of Ficus retusa!

They further joined en mass to prepare the strong gatbandhan “marriage band” by tying mango leaves on the yellow rope . The students showered specially coloured rice on both the tree and well when one of the volunteers Kanchan Pathak chanted the nuptial mantras.

Preparation of the Gatbandhan "Marriage band" with mango leaves

“I am very touched by the devoted participation of students and they made the occasion a memorable one” said scholar of economics Dr. Chirashree Das Gupta who was the guest of honor.

“The Water table is depleting day by day and this trend poses a serious threat to life on Earth. Thus there is a serious need to save more and more trees to keep the eco-system habitable.” said a senior member of Tarumitra, D.N Prasad.

” I was so happy to see that our kids are taking serious efforts to protect their mother earth along with their future.” commented the Director of BPS School Anil Kumar.

Garlands and Aarti "waving of lamps" on the Tarumitra Well

Students of BPS organized nuptial taps under the leadership of Khushbu and Pintu. Himanshu from Gyandeep did a solo on Tera hi jalwa. There was marked enthusiasm shown by the students totally sheltered from the summer sun under the Kamroop tree. They clapped and thumped as the dances gained high speed!

Khushboo and team from BPS regaling the gathering with Satyam Shivam Sundaram

Many teachers too participated in the event under the co-ordination of D.N Prasad. Present also were Ms Margaret Molomoo from Darjeeling, Rajesh Kumar, Ravinesh, Sanjay Sigh, Ignace Xalxo, J Raj, Fr. Robert Athickal  and Amardeep.

Alberto, Yanira, Luis and Nivardo

Working with the staff guide from Tarumitra Ms Margaret Molomoo, the four worked as a well knit team to reach out to nearly 30 high schools and colleges in Bihar. “Over the months we probably talked to over 5000 students on the need to conserve every wattage of electricity.” Said Ms Yanira Pech.

Ms Yanira interacting students in Hartmann High School

Being a pioneering work, they needed role models and examples to be presented to the peer group. “We took cues from Ms Shweta Marandi, a class 8 student of Mount Carmel School, Patna” said Nivardo Ceceno who got connected to audiences easily. It may be mentioned that the United Nations recognized the trail blazer in Shweta by granting her the honour “Hero of the Month” back in 2008 for her campaigns to replace bulbs with CFL lamps. http://www.unep.org/tunza/children/inner.asp?ct=actions&ac=bulletin_board&bd=hero_profile&hr=shweta

“Students easily could catch up with Shweta since she belonged to their peer group” said Nivardo. Shweta started her campaign stating that the use of electricity alone contributed the major chunk of pollution in the modern times.

Hero of the Month, Ms Shweta Marandi joined the campaign in person

“We repeated what Shweta discovered that one unit of electricity in India was produced by burning 52 kilograms of coal” said Alberto with his ever friendly smile. The Four urged the students not only to replace bulbs with CFL lamps, but also develop the habit of putting off electric appliances like lights, fans, heaters etc as and when possible. Many responded positively to the visiting students from Honduras by promising to comply.

The group was fortunate to team up with Shweta and Sanskriti from Carmel School since both the girls  were free to join the campaign after their final exams in the school.

Being an innovative group, the four planned to build a Smokeless oven at Tarumitra. They followed a model developed at their university to every detail while implementing its construction using bricks and clay next to the Solar cookers. “I was amazed at the effectiveness of the oven. Absolutely no smoke even when we cooked three pots simultaneously!” said the green architect Fr. Joe Parekattil S.J.

Team of Yanira, Nivardo, Alberto, and Luis along with Staff guide Margaret Molomoo

Luis Sanchez commented that he enjoyed working on the construction of a hut along with Fr. Joe using geo-thermal energy to cool the interiors. “We found it was fun to carry bricks, soil and sand for the construction” said Luis.

His Excellency the Governor of Bihar Devanand Konwar earlier laid the foundation for the  Geo-thermally cooled Eco-hut and was waiting for volunteers to complete the construction.

The Four contributed significant amount of time for the construction of the Eco-hut

The whole concept of the Eco-hut was to use local and if possible thrown away materials with innovative ingenuity to make a livable and air-conditioned space.  The whole building is plastered with soil and the ceiling with local bamboos.

Yanira and her group spent many a memorable afternoons under the canopy of the tall Kamroop tree helping to craft the Eco-hut!

The group carried soil for the plastering of walls, mixed saw dust  and glue for the roof, chiseled the bamboos for padding the ceiling along with local volunteers and Tarumitra staff.

Luis carrying soil for the geo-thermally cooled house

” It was fun to light a wood fire and prepare the glue using local techniques” said Nivardo and Alberto who spearheaded delicate task of padding the ceiling to make the rooms heat-proof. Luis added a rope and pulley kit to pull up buckets of saw dust to the upper floor.

Sisters of Notre Dame, Asha and Maryanne had applauses for the work of the students! Alberto preparing the glue and Nivardo, Luis and Margaret operating the gear to pull up materials.

The group is shortly on their way to Bangalore for a week of assemblages in different institutions. Co-ordinated by Dr. Meath Conlan of Holy Cross run  Maitreya, Bangalore, they will be teaming up with students of St. Joseph’s College in their campaigns on electricity.

The four with Anshal who joined them to visit schools and translated from Englishto Hindi : Students from each school promised to save electricity in their homes!

Priya from Adarsh Vidyalaya said that she would remember the visit of their “Cousins” from Central America, “ I hope to visit them sometime in my life” added Priya when she was asked to comment on the visit of the Zamorano students.

“The most important part of the internship was to live and share a roof and create a cousinship while giving  shape for a common future on the  earth.” said the Co-ordinator of Tarumitra Robert Athickal S.J. He commented also that the Tarumitra dream has been to bring together an international team spirit in collaboration with the United Nations in the ecologically fragile times of the 21st century on the planet!

Fr. Anthony Da Silva welcomed the participants. Fr. Robert Athickal, Sri Digambar Kamat Chief Minister, Francisco Lume Pereira and Dr. Orla Hazra

The Jesuit Provincial Fr. Anthony da Silva joined the Chief Minister to light the traditional lamp along with Cosmologist Dr. Orla Hazra, the Principal of Loyola Fr. William Rodrigues SJ, Alumni (LESA)President Dr. Augustine Misquita and Co-ordinator of Tarumitra Fr. Robert Athickal. Fr. Anthony in his welcome address requested the Chief Minister to remain vigilant on the forces that are bent on destroying the fabled legendary Goa.

Chief Minister lighted the traditional lamp and inaugurated the seminar

Alice Misquita who compered the programme expressed hope that the teachers and parents would help the students to take into their head their unique role as decision-makers of tomorrow. Mr. Francisco Lume Pereira of the Fomento Resources reiterated the firm resolve his company has taken to promote environmental care.

Co-ordinating the workshop , Fr. Athickal warned the assembly that the present day Goa would disappear right in front of their eyes in less than ten years. He said that the city was bursting at its seams as an unprecedented number of visitors made a beeline to the city. The holiday makers would return to their respective places after dumping piles of stinking garbage into the city drains and the now drying River Mandovi.

Teachers, Principals and Alumni members took active participation

A core group of teachers was constituted to carry on the follow up actions under the leadership of Ms Durga Shirodkar, Loyola high school. Ms. Luisa Mascarenhas, Our Lady of Lourdes, Utorda, Ms Dulcina Pereira, Fatima Convent HS, Ms Shaefali Lendhay Vidya Vikas Academy, Anita Keny New Era HS are the members of the core group.

Newly constituted Core team to follow up the Tarumitra process with Fr. Athickal and Dr. Orla Hazra. Mrs. Durga Shirodkar on the extreme right

A second Seminar was also organized by the Jesuits in the nearby city Belgaum on the following day. Besides the Jesuits, students and teachers from St. Joseph’s, St. Paul’s, Sarvodaya, Bhatkande, Divine Mercy and Divine Providence also joined the sessions.

Students from St. Joseph’s, St. Paul’s, Sarvodaya, Bhatkande, Divine Mercy and Divine Providence

The venue of the meeting was the Xavier Training College (XTS)with its 70 acre farm greenery at the background. Over a hundred participants promised to take up action. Each of the schools planned a number of action plans for the year. Fr. Roland Coelho S.J along with Fr. Beneto Fernandes SJ promised to co-ordinate the campaign in Belgaum at the foothills of the Western Ghats. XTS offered the students a round the clock welcome for future eco-camps in its spacious campus.

Hands up and raring to go! Student delegates from six schools at XTS Belgaum

Fr. Agnelo Mascarenhas  from Panjim Goa, accompanied the Tarumitra team to Belgaum. He also compered the workshop for the Jesuits on 26 Feb evening. The 25 plus veteran Jesuit educationists who brainstormed for Belgaum suggested the possibility of XTS becoming a hub for the conservation of Bio-diversity. They asked Fr. Benita Fernandes if he could pioneer a Bio-reserve for the State as well as to resort to the organic farming methods in the campus.

Activist assistant Fr. Agnelo Mascarenhas S.J with students who made sure that the Tarumitra team met the deadlines in time

Teachers from Pushp Niketan assembled under the Kamroop Tree

The workshop consisted of creative experiments of a fusion of art and education. The group worked on the mediums of soil, deadwood, waste materials; each of the teachers expressing their thoughts into remarkable visuals and installations.

Teachers seeking inspiration from nature: Art from the Earth

Conceived by a widely discussed young artist Blaise Joseph the guiding team consisted of Ms Sugandha Upasani from Pune and Sheetal from Bangalore. Sugandha recalled, “The teachers were very co-operative, and participated with full involvement. They made songs, rhymes, stories. There were paintings and art installations! They enjoyed doing all these. I loved the Cosmic Walk organized by Ms Margaret through the Panchvati part of the Tarumitra Bio-reserve! It transported me to the world of mysteries. The story will always remain with me.”

The group gathered around a winter fire every day!

Pushp Niketan School ”Abode of flowers”  is located in a semi urban town of Dhampur in the Dhampur Sugar Mills campus in Bijnor district of Uttar Pradesh State in India. It is visualized to be a world class model for progressive education with child centric education philosophy, pedagogies and processes. Here, the school is established a non hierarchical, alternative school system promoting excellence in learning and sound values in a safe, supporting and stimulating environment. Volunteers from other countries have come to add their mite to the Internationality of the school atmosphere. Six years old, the School is ably coordinated by Rtd. Major Rajesh Ranjit and his charming danseuse wife Nisha.

Singing that crawled into late nights: alive with dafli and drum!

Among the teachers there was a whole pool of talents. Pushpendra Chauhan with his deep sonorous vocals, Vineet with his drum, Gautam with his artistic mastermind brought up so much of joy to the group. Rahul co-ordinated the event.

One of the participants recollected that the best part of the workshop was the daily gatherings around bonfires under the sunshade outside Uttarayan building at Tarumitra. The teachers shared their stories among themselves spiced with some good quality singing led by the teachers. One evening, a student of classical singing, Ms Sugandha created magic with a mellowed rendition of Raag Bihag.

Considered a super chef, Ms Margaret Molomoo delighted the gathering with her impromptu herbal soups right on the bonfires! She had a way of creating a scintillating fare with a wide array of medicinal herbs collected from the bio-reserve!

One of the resource persons, Ms Sugandha created magic with Raag Bihaag!

Green architect, Fr. Joe Parekattil S.J who was present for the entire camp commented positively on the creative contents of the workshop.

“We were forest dwellers for a week” said one of the teachers as she was leaving the camp,  ”my knapsack is bigger because I carry lot more great memories!”

This year the Archbishop wrote a Pastoral letter to all the churches and communities of his archdiocese on the ecological concerns prior to the Christmas 2010. He urged all the people to stand up and take action especially on the conservation of electricity and water.
The letter is significant at a time the world leaders are finding it difficult to arrive at a consensus on the ecological front. “We need more Dharmagurus (spiritual heads) like the Archbishop to come and guide their flocks!” said the green architect, Joe Parekattil.

Archbishop William wrote, “In my 2009 Christmas message, published in the Archdiocesan Samachar, I had called your attention to this global concern. I had suggested to “spreading the message of saving our Earth and environment from pollution and carbon foot print by celebrating our Christmas with minimum amount of electrical illumination”. I congratulate all of you for positively responding to my suggestion within your capacity. At the same time, I wish to delve on the same subject in detail once again through this pastoral letter. This concern, my dear brothers and sisters, is very crucial, vital, urgent and alarmingly dangerous which needs our immediate attention.
The early Christian tradition reveals an eco-sensitive understanding of the mystery of Christ. St. Ireneus of Lyons said: “Christ recapitulates and summarizes all of creation.” Jesus was always a true Son of the Earth. He was the fulfillment of prophets like Isaiah who prayed “Let the earth be open to bud forth the savior (Isaiah: 45-8). St. Ignatius of Antioch, St. Ireneus and St. Benedict are some of the striking examples from among the early Fathers of the Church, who vehemently acclaimed the unity of creation. They could interpret Christian life as one that is integrally related to the earth and the environment. “The earth forms not only the basic raw material for humankind, but also the substance of the incarnation of God’s Son.” (St. Hildegard of Bingen)

In the middle ages, we have St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226), who had an integrated understanding of nature and God experience. He is known as the Saint of the Nature. He looks at the whole creation as one family. Every living creature is seen as his brother or sister. His eco-friendly life challenges the materialistic world of dominion and control which thus inspires us to live a life of friendship and harmony with nature. He insisted that his brothers leave a border around the community garden untouched so that wild grass and flowers could grow.
The erratic floods, cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis, droughts, irregular monsoons, etc. are indications that the rhythm of life in nature is seriously in danger.

Archbishop William meets people (file pic)

Sadly, majority of us humans seems to be still unaware and unconcerned about the impending ecological havocs. Climate change due to global warming has affected the atmosphere and life so much so that earth is almost becoming inhabitable. The erratic floods, cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis, droughts, irregular monsoons, etc. are indications that the rhythm of life in nature is seriously in danger. Water and air and pollution, increase in the use of non-bio-degradable wastes such as plastic, etc. are making the earth and atmosphere unsuitable for living beings. Deforestation, use of harmful pesticides and manures for farming is another area which affects our eco-system and endangers human life. The greedy interventions affect rhythm of nature and tilt the eco-balance.

Governor of Bihar Dr. A.R Kidwai laying the foundation of the Tarumitra bio-reserve in 1996: Archbishop William on the left

In short, we are stretching the nature beyond its regenerative capacity. We forget that the nature continues to react and we all head towards a collective suicide. One of the great scientists on ecology, Dr. Norman Myers observed that we have “just about 7,000 days left if we don’t change our way of living in this short span of time. We need to seriously look into the challenges this eco-crisis presents to us today.”
Therefore a concerted ecological action is crucial in our times. Our Patna Archdiocese has been in the forefront of pioneering apostolate. God has always bestowed on us innumerable blessings. Therefore with a sense of gratitude, all of us must strive to campaign for environment friendly living.
I suggest that we use water and electricity sparingly. We can save electricity by using candles and diyas instead of electric illumination for celebrations, Planting trees, use of eco-friendly gifts for our friends and families, using natural sherbets like lime juice, traveling as far as possible, by the public transport system, etc. are some of the means to reduce the crisis. We need to preserve and promote environment. We have to motivate, educate and organize farmers to take up organic farming. Let us learn from local tribal groups to live eco-friendly life. By organizing eco-friendly activities and motivational seminars for the people around us, young and old, women and children, we will be able to involve the whole community in our eco-friendly interventions.
As we prepare ourselves to celebrate the salvific event of Jesus at Christmas, we have a special responsibility towards these concerns. Today God is savingly active all over the world, whispering into the hearts of people to stand up and take action to protect His planet. The incarnation of God’s Son is done on His planet with the matter and mud becoming His body and blood’ May the Word who took a human form and lived on this Earth, and thus sanctified the environment lead each one of us to love and respect our Mother Earth and give us the blessings to be eco-friendly in our day to day life.”

The media gave the Archbishop a wide coverage to his green initiatives. Many communities like Holy Family Hospital, St. Xavier’s College, XTTI etc dimmed down their Christmas illumination to the bare minimum. The Church in Phulwarisharif lit their whole church with solar electricity!

Sunderlal Bahuguna with his wife interacting with students at DPS Patna

Sri Sunder lal Bahuguna started the environmental movement in seventies when he got the support of the women of Garhwal to protest the felling of forests. The women moved in large numbers and hugged the trees (“chipko”) and stopped the clear-felling quite successfully for the first time in independent India.

File pic of Garhwal women hugging trees in 1970s

Spic Macay spear headed by Roshan Seth got some very rare artists like Birju Maharaj, Parveen Sultana, Margi Madhu etc to mentor students in the city. Students from many schools congregated the DPS premises for a five day period of close interactions and sharing.

Ever ingenious Principal of Patna DPS Mr. Vinod made sure that the students had an intimate time with these celebrated personalities.

Sunderlal Bahuguna 2010

It was very fortunate for us to get a chance to spend quality time with the legendary Sri Bahuguna. Many who remembered him from earlier times did mention that the man into his nineties still has not lost any of his gloss or lustre.

Sri Bahuguna interacted with the students in his simple manner, every now and then pausing to listen to their queries. His delightful wife sat next to him and prompted him whenever he missed any important nuances.
It may be mentioned that he became a very special role model for environmentalists when he stopped eating rice 20 years back saying that the country could not afford to cultivate the water-intensive rice varieties. Always a prophet, Sunderlalji continues to inspire the younger generation.

A dedicated Inter school got a chance to spend a memorable time with Sri Bahugunaji

A dedicated group (inter school) spent an extensive time with the veteran activist. DPS arranged the same group to spend next two days at the Tarumitra bio-reserve for  in depth study and follow up programmes. Margaret Molomoo, specialized in Japan on Organic farming  guided them i n their exposure. Molomoo said, “The group certainly has absorbed the vision of Sri Bahugunaji so well!”

Meghalaya "Abode of Clouds" is home for many Sacred Groves

When Himachal Pradesh has over 5000 such Sacred Groves, the state of Meghalaya has just about 50 of them struggling to survive.

It is in this context, the Jesuits are floating the idea of converting their novitiate in Shillong, the capital of the state of Meghalaya into a Sacred Grove dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity. Shillong is situated at an average altitude of 4,908 feet (1,496 m) above sea level, with the highest point being Lum Shyllong at 6,447 feet (1,965 m). The city had a population of 260,520 according to the 2001 census. It is said that the rolling hills around the town reminded the European settlers of Scotland. Hence, Shillong is also known as Scotland of the East.

Shillong is well connected by two national high ways. It takes three-four hours by road to reach the city from Guwahati.

Harvested Water reservoir inside the Jesuit property

The Jesuit campus, House of Arrupe has an area of 80 acres has a sheer drop of a thousand feet on one side and meandering meadows on the other side. The place has patches of pine and shola trees with a gurgling stream passing through to the water reservoir at the bottom part of the campus.

Sacred Grove in the making: Fr. Richard leading the team

Wild elephant grass and horse grass grow in between the patches of pine trees that filled up the hills. The proposed bio-reserve has the look of a prairie. Fr. Richard Jarain S.J, with a degree in Life Sciences, suggested the immediate possibility of planting indigenous trees in all the open patches of the land.

He along with his novices has turned some of the open spaces to plant rice, ginger, beans, and yams. The soil looked dark and fertile with a lot of sand and gravel to make it soft for plantations like ginger. The percolated water from the slopes comes down to form natural ponds.

“A few check dams could take care of the water needs of the sacred grove!” said Fr. Charles D’Souza, a veteran experienced in large plantations. The word “water” meant everything for the people of Meghalaya. The climate change has affected the state and the once wettest spot on the planet, Chirapunji, has dried up for months in the summer.

Gurgling streams inside the Sacred Grove: Fr. Charles D'Souza SJ (left)

Somebody suggested the possibility of laying pipes for 4-5 kilometres to bring water from a nearby mountain top. The budget then would become rather forbidding.
Knowledgeable people agreed totally with the observation of Fr. Charles that the solution for the water lay right in the property with catchment ponds and check dams.

There are some small natural ponds in the property with fresh water and plenty of frogs. If only more water could be stored from the rainy season! Fr. Charles suggested the construction of some “amoeba ponds” spread around the natural rock formations on the lower part of the land this coming summer.

Natural pond: Adequate water is a concern all over Shillong

What bothered everybody were the forest fires in summer. Each year forest fires were started by people who believes that large amount of smoke would attract the rains! The fires usually chucked up all the tall grass lands along with the saplings which had naturally sprouted or planted during the torrential rains. There were fire-lines around the property but anybody could hurl a lit up torch across these fire- breaks into the grasslands.

Forest fires pose a big threat to the Groves

Jesuit Fathers Yan and Richard Jarain formed a gritty combination in following up their dreams. 22 novices here have formed a team to construct lanes and by lanes crisscrossing the pine forest. Fr. Richard already got in touch with the Forest department and the officials were eager to lend a helping hand to plant the indigenous trees in the campus. A Professor of Botany, Mr James from the local college spent some time to identify and name the trees.

The whole concept of a Bio-reserve is that it should support all life forms. Whether they are birds, jackals or medicinal herbs, Bio-reserve must become a critical moment in the regeneration of the rich bio-diversity of the planet. Fr. Richard felt that they needed to reach out to support the few surviving indigenous trees local to the Shillong hills.
The chief complaint against the afforestation efforts of the Department of Forests had been that they planted mono-cultures of trees. Pine trees were their favourites since they were hardy and non browsable as far as animals were concerned. One would remember what distinguished botanist late Fr (Dr) K.M Mathew S.J used to say, “A pine forest is as peaceful as a dead cemetery since no animals and birds frequented such forests!”

Magnificent view of the plains from the proposed Sacred Grove

When the winter sun rose in the morning there was fairy tale charm in the whole atmosphere. The place is ideal for a retreat centre too. One can spend hours gazing down the hills to the plains of Assam below.

The Jesuits Novices formed teams to execute their Seven point action plans in 2011.

1. Planting varieties and naming the trees: Donald (L) Regin and Joseph
2. Cleanliness Campaign at the picnic site outside the campus: DJ (L) Tobias, and Roy
3. Fight the forest Fires: Lawrence (L) Shisha and Remo
4. Collect dry wood: Iben (L) and Lucker
5. Save Water and Electricity: Jonah (L) and Agam
6. Expand the Organic garden: Felix (L) and Ronald
7. Stop the trapping of all animals and birds: Jonah (L)

Team Leaders for the Bioreserve with the Director Fr. Richard Jarain SJ