VANAMAHOTSAVA-2025
'Nature always wears the colours of
the spirit'.
And this very spirit, of loving, caring and nurturing
for the environment was infused in the calm, cold breeze
of a showery morning of July 21st, as the students
gathered to celebrate the festival of green abundance, 'Vanmahotsava'.
The celebrations were doubled, with the 800th
commemoration of 'Alberi Amici' - the Franciscan
celebration of the 'Canticle of Brothers and Sisters'.
Gracing the occasion was Mr Shivanandan, Deputy Forest
Range Officer, Udupi District, seated along with our
Principal, Vice Principal and Academic Co-ordinator on
the dais. The celebrations commenced with a prayer hymn,
followed by the welcome speech by Master Lenston of
Grade 3. Master Shaun Martis of Grade 6 enlightened the
august gathering on the importance of the day and the
significance of 'Alberi Amici', with his speech.
A slight deviation from the norms, the event was
officially inaugurated 'the green way'. The guests and
students, placed a 'Leaf of Promise', to protect, care
and sustain the environment on the branches of a tree,
symbolising hope, new life and our commitment to
preserving Mother Nature. Additionally, the foundation
for a 'greener' environment was laid, with the planting
of a sapling. Our blooming buds of UKG presented a
lovely dance performance, which was then followed on
with a song by the students of Grade 6-9, and a dance by
the students of Grade 6. In his address to the
gathering, the Chief Guest Mr Shivanandan, asked the
students to become environment warriors to protect and
safe-guard the environment. He spoke of the importance
of mangroves, and how every little step we take to
preserve our environment is important.
The Principal, Rev Fr Dominic Sunil Lobo when in
conversation with the students, asked the students if
they had tree friends, with most students saying 'yes'.
The principal enlightened the students on the meaning
and importance of 'Alberi Amici'. He conveyed that 'Alberi Amici', meant
'tree friends' in Italian. Our
school patron, St Francis of Assisi, called Nature and
its beings, as his brothers and sisters and loved
spending his time and taking care of them. He said that
all of us too must make every effort to take care of the
environment, nature, animals and birds.
The Chief Guest was presented with a memento as a token
of gratitude, during the enunciation of the vote of
thanks by Ms Lithika. Ms Sweenal, Ms Calista, Ms Tashvi,
Master Avyukth, Ms Kaira, Ms Thripthi, Ms Zahal and Ms
Jazlyn shouldered the compereing of the programme with
enthusiasm and elan.