News and pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP)

Mangaluru, Nov 16: “Nature is the habitat of man. Protection of nature is the foremost duty of every person. It is easy to harm nature. But it is unfair to damage or spoil that house,” said the bishop of Mangaluru, Fr Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza in his presidential address of the concluding ceremony in the oath-taking movement.

Convener of Mangaluru diocese social concern committee, Fr Onil D'Souza welcomed the gathered. He said that the members of the diocese are working for the protection of the environment and assured that they
will work in more creative ways in the future.

Louis J Pinto, convener of Mangaluru social concern committee speaking on the occasion said that nearly two lac people are made aware regarding protection to the environment and 34,370 people out of them
have taken oath that protection of the environment is their duty. “It is a positive development,” he said.

The bishop by picking lots chose the luckiest oath taker. St Anne's PUC student Rakshitha was selected as the winner of a gold coin.

Mangaluru diocese secretary M P Noronha speaking on the occasion, said that man should not misuse his power for his selfishness in the world which is created by the Almighty. "We should work day and night for the protection of nature so that we will not be unjust to the future generation," he said. He thanked everybody who helped to uphold the movement and hoped that it may spread in society in the days to come.

Chief priest of the diocese Fr Denis Moras Prabhu, Four Winds company owner Elias Fernandes, Fr John Vas, Fr Francis D'Souza, Fr Valerian Fernandes, Raymond D'Cunha, Vincent Mascarenhas and others were present.