Media Release
Mangaluru, Jun 5: Carmel School, Mangaluru, resonated with powerful messages of environmental responsibility as its grade 9 students championed a thought-provoking and engaging celebration of World Environment Day on June 5.
Under the theme ‘Ending global plastic pollution,’ the event served as a potent reminder of humanity's shared duty towards Mother Earth.
The morning commenced with Kiana, Panchami, Kennith, Pratyusha, and Austin taking on the role of hosts. Their combined presence set a respectful and welcoming tone for the entire event, as they greeted the esteemed Principal, Administrator, dedicated teachers, and their fellow students. The critical theme of the day, emphasising the urgent need to address plastic pollution, was then eloquently introduced by these student presenters, laying the groundwork for the day's significant discussions and performances.
A deeply moving prayer service followed, inviting a moment of silent reflection. The introduction to the prayer service articulated a profound concept: that the Earth and its elements themselves are praying for humanity's actions. Through the voices of students personifying earth, air, sky, water, and fire, a powerful collective plea was heard.
Earth cried out for ‘tend and keep,’ not destruction; Air lamented its smoke-choked existence; Sky sought reverence and purity; Water implored protection from contamination; and Fire asked for wise use, not careless ruin.
The reflection that followed underscored humanity's role as caretakers and accentuated that hope for restoration lies within each individual's power to change. The concluding prayer sought forgiveness, wisdom, and the resolve to live in harmony with all creation.
The formal welcome was delivered by Anvitha, who spoke with genuine warmth as she welcomed everyone present. This was followed by a graceful welcome dance that beautifully set a vibrant and optimistic mood for the day's events.
A highlight of the event was a compelling skit titled ‘The tech disaster – when progress backfires.’ Narrated to expose the hidden environmental costs of unchecked technological advancement, the skit featured a dynamic cast including a zealous tech enthusiast, a concerned nature lover, a fact-presenting scientist, a visibly ailing mother earth (depicted with a half-damaged costume), and a menacing e-waste monster (costumed from old gadgets and wires).
The skit vividly portrayed how modern conveniences contribute to resource depletion, pollution, and the alarming growth of e-waste, culminating in a powerful ‘Freeze moment’ that forced the audience to confront the stark realities of ‘water... waste... deforestation... disease...’
The skit ultimately offered a message of hope, with characters advocating for responsible technology use, recycling, energy conservation, and the development of green solutions, ending with a collective pledge to balance progress with protection.
The artistic expression continued with a captivating ‘dance – elements of nature,’ where performers celebrated the harmony of earth, water, fire, air, and space. Students aptly articulated the essence of the dance, profoundly reminding the audience that nature is not merely an external entity, but an intrinsic and vital part of our very being.
Sr Rosevera – the principal, then addressed the gathering with a truly motivating message. She narrated the inspiring story of Jasmit Singh Arora, the "Gutli Man" of India, a 51-year-old entrepreneur-turned-environmentalist from Kolkata, who is transforming farming in West Bengal by germinating discarded mango seeds, grafting them, and providing saplings to farmers free of cost to promote sustainable agriculture.
Following this powerful narrative, she engaged students in an interactive session, prompting them to share practical ways they could personally contribute to preserving nature. The students responded with many insightful ideas, including innovative approaches like recycling wastewater for plants, showcasing their commitment to environmental initiatives.
The principal then lauded the students and their class mentors for organising such a beautiful programme, especially commendable just three days after the school's reopening.
As the event drew to a close, Austin delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to the Almighty, Sr Rosevera, the principal, Sr Dr Prem, the administrator and all the teachers and students for making the event a valuable learning experience.
The concluding remarks from the student hosts resonated with a timeless wisdom: "We don’t inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children." They encouraged everyone to carry the day’s inspiration forward through daily actions and to pledge to nurture, protect, and respect Mother Earth, not just on June 5, but every single day.
The successful organisation and profound messages conveyed by the students of grade 9 serve as a beacon of hope for a more environmentally conscious future.