Mangaluru: ‘Savayava Saptaha’ was inaugurated at the St. Aloysius College on Tuesday, 3 September 2019 at the Robert Sequeira Hall, LCRI Block. Pradeep Soori, Retd. Special Assistant, Canara Bank was the Chief Guest. Principal, Rev. Dr. Praveen Martis, SJ, presided over the programme. Director of Xavier Block, Dr. John E. D’Silva, convenor of the programme, Karen D’Souza, President of Nature Club, Vineeth Kumar were present on the dais.
The programme was inaugurated uniquely with the guests of honor planting and watering saplings in organic bags.
Chief Guest, Pradeep Soori, in his address said, “When health is absent, wisdom cannot reveal itself; art cannot manifest; strength cannot fight; wealth becomes useless and intelligence cannot be applied. By doing good things responsibly, you can create and keep wonderful and rich places to live in. In order to encourage everyone to switch over to an organic lifestyle, you, yourself, have to do it first.”
He further said, “Due to lack of exercise and consumption of junk food, human beings are suffering from ill-health. If we compare the health of the old generation and new generation, old generation’s health was far better than the new generation because they used organic food without using chemical and growing vegetables without using pesticides or chemical manure. Nowadays, people cannot grow vegetables or fruits due to the lack of land. Hence terrace farming is the need of the hour. We can grow all types of vegetables or fruits on the terrace itself by using organic manure or vermicompost. The pests can be controlled by using the ginger-garlic-chilly paste on the plants along with the manure. Hence, we can get vegetables at any time without any burden and our mind will be relaxed through the process of farming.”
Rev. Dr Praveen Martis, in his presidential remarks said, “we must train our students to live an organic lifestyle. Being an inspiring and exemplary person, Pradeep Soori has made it possible to grow vegetables and fruits on the terrace.” He further said that all must adopt the habit of using organic food and avoid the chemical-based food. Nature gives us oxygen, and through green farming we get more oxygen, thus it is possible to get a healthy and safe future.
During the programme, the Nature Club organized two programmes i.e., Terrace Farming and Bee-keeping. Directors, Dr. Dennis Fernandes, Dr. Loveena Lobo and HOD of Zoology, Dr. Hemachandra were present for the programme.
Calrida compered the programme. Karen introduced the guests and welcomed the gathering. Vineeth Kumar delivered the vote of thanks.
