From: Gordon Dsouza <contactgordon@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, May 26, 2010 at 6:52 PM
Subject: 'CARE FOR CREATION' : Report on a Symposium organised by Christian Spotlight
To: editor@spotlight.net.in, contactgordon@gmail.com
'CARE FOR CREATION'
Christian Spotlight, a monthly Community Journal focusing on social issues celebrated its 5th Anniversary with a Symposium held on May 23, 2010 at St Xavier's School Quadrangle, Vile Parle. The theme was 'Care for Creation' in keeping with the call by Cardinal Oswald Gracias Archbishop of Bombay to dedicate this year for the same. This was also the thrust of the Pope's World peace day message: "If you want to cultivate peace, protect creation".
Gordon D'Souza, the Publisher and Editor of the monthly magazine kicked off the proceedings encapsulating the 5 year journey of the magazine & highlighting the journal's focus on conveying news of positive happenings in society and the community in keeping up to its motto of "Connecting, Inspiring and Empowering" Writers and supporters of Christian Spotlight were also felicitated.
The Symposium showcased a galaxy of environment activists and their areas of specialization in nurturing mother Earth. Presided over by Bishop Agnelo Gracias, the keynote address was delivered by Fr. Allwyn D'silva, a staunch advocate of Environmental conservation initiatives. Historically, he recalled, all wars have been resource wars and the next war, he prophesized, would be a war over water. The Ecological crisis is a justice issue because the indiscriminate exploitation of natural resources by the developed world is leading us towards a global crisis caused by an unsustainable model of consumption and production.
Mr Benson George, Executive Director of Centre for Human Ecology highlighted the immense potential that each one of us has in greening our environment with minimum investment. The rich bounty and goodness of nature can be harvested in plenty with patient and diligent application of mind and a heart for the environment. He has done phenomenal work in promoting greenery in schools, developing terrace gardens, and involves school children, parents and teachers in programmes to recycle waste and promote the concept that Waste is Wealth.
Dr. Francine Pinto, who has done her PhD in Garbage Management & runs a NGO: "Garbage Concern", which works towards Sustainable Environmental Education in empowering today's leaders to ignite in tomorrow's citizens a Proactive Environmental Commitment, made a presentation focusing on how Garbage can actually be converted into a goldmine of profitability if one can bear the initially stink and transform it into a useful form of manure through composting.
She currently has employed 50 school dropouts who are involved in vermin-composting, paper bag making and garden development and each is receiving Rs. 5000/- to Rs. 8000/-
Thomas Lobo, the Vice President of the Bombay Archdiocesan Pastoral Council and Spotlight Editorial team member focused on the dangers of global warming brought on by greenhouse gases caused as a result of indiscriminate deforestation and burning of fuels.
Representatives of Uttan and Gorai who have gone to great lengths of protecting mangroves which comprise 30% of Dharavi Island were felicitated. Their battle against the SEZ project was also a battle to protect their environment. They have gone to Court to protect the mangroves in their region from being damaged by the local Corporate and their battle continues both in the High Court and the Supreme Court.
In a talk show focused on Green Warriors, Adolf D'Souza, Corporator from Juhu spoke of his scheme of promoting cloth bags through corporate sponsorship. He gets the bags free by advertising 8 products four on each side of the bags.
James John an activist from Andheri East and Coordinator of AGNI in K-East Ward spoke of how citizens are organized and use the Local Area Citizens Committee LACC concept promoted by BMC. This helps to keep their environment in order.
Subhash Dalvi, Officer on Special Duty Solid Waste Management, BMC spoke on his Ban Plastic initiative in Vile Parle East which is a success and he has succeeded to educate Hawkers and Vendors to prevent use of plastic bags and promote Cloth bags.
Dr. Jacob KB spoke on the hazards of Electro pollution emanated from (mobiles, laptops and computers) that is rampant and causes irreparable harm to humans. Karon Shaiva of Idobro spoke on how ethical shopping can protect the environment.
Steven D'Souza, former IAS Officer spoke of how the new CMZ policy has the potential of protecting the environment.
While summing up the programme, Bishop Agnelo Gracias correlated Carbon Footprint to Human Footprint. Care for environment will proportionately increase as the spiritual component in each person increases, he said.
The Publisher and Editor, Mr. Gordon D'souza was then given a standing ovation by the gathering for his pioneering vision and passion that has nurtured Christian Spotlight through its 5 years of existence and phenomenal growth.
The Symposium was enhanced by a Cultural Dance that depicted the beauty of the environment we live in through a song on Gorai, farmers and fishermen and the need to preserve their environ.
The programme concluded with a pledge by all present to work towards preserving the environment. All the guests and speakers were presented a sapling as a memento to help nurture the environment.
Gordon D'Souza [Editor]
CHRISTIAN SPOTLIGHT - The Community Journal
Connecting, Inspiring, Empowering
140, Queens Villa, 2nd flr. Vallabhbhai Rd., Opp. Vartak Municipal Market, Vile Parle (West), Mumbai 400 056.Tel. Nos. 2616 3555 / 9819628388
website: www.spotlight.net.in
--
Palash Biswas
Pl Read:
http://nandigramunited-banga.blogspot.com/
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