World Earth Day celebrated on 22nd April
World Earth Day is celebrated every year on 22nd April as an opportunity to create an environmental consciousness, protect the planet from environmental adversities, promote peace and be grateful for its abundance. It is a reminder to protect the environment, restore damaged ecosystems and live a more sustainable life.
For 2023, the Earth Day theme ‘Invest In Our Planet,‘ emphasized the critical need to prioritize our time, resources and energy towards addressing the urgent challenges posed by climate change and other environmental issues.
Commemorating Earth Day 2023, the CYFC (Chicalim Youth Farmers Club) in collaboration with DCE (Diocesan Commission for Ecology, Goa) organized a short programme which included a number of activities such as T – Shirt painting, Talent Hunt, Fancy dress and a lot more
The convener of DCE and mentor to CYFC Dr. Fr. Bolmax Pereira welcomed the gathering to celebrate International Mother Earth Day and spelt out the aim of this event which first began in 1970 to create environmental awarenesss and to pledge support and protection to Mother Earth. However, the first proposal for a day to honor the Earth was offered by peace activist John McConnell in 1969 at a UNESCO Conference in San Francisco. Since then, the occasion has played an important role in raising awareness on other environmental issues, informed Fr Bolmax and hence exhorted the participants to take part in the events and invest their time, talents and creativity in achieving the goals of this events.
The members of the Chicalim Youth Farmers Club performed an ecological dance which was choreographed by Jerrico Vaz to set the mood for the event. Dressed up as a bubbly butterfly, a five year old little girl Eldora D ‘Costa delivered a heart touching ecological message urging the people to take a stand in protecting Mother Earth with shear dedication.
Little children were seen displaying their artistic skills and creativity as they painted their T – shirts to convey the theme of the competition ‘Earth Our Common Home’. The competition was won by Melifa Fernandes from Baina.
A fancy dress competition was also organized in which the participants presented themselves in eco friendly outfits made of leaves, fruits, flowers and other plant parts and gave a message to help save Mother Earth. The competition was won by Chrysane D’costa who dressed herself as a mango tree and urged the audience with a strong message to save trees by reciting her Hindi poem ‘pedd’. “Save trees that your future generation may see greenery” she concluded.
‘Just a minute’ was an opportunity offered to those present to express their ecological concern for mother earth by referring to the picture flashed on the screen. Around 12 ex-tempore participants took liberty to express their concern for mother earth in which Vanessa Fernandes emerged a winner. ‘Talent hunt’ allowed the participants to showcase their talents to lend their voices and talents to take a stand for Mother Earth in which little Rhesa D’Souza rendered a beautiful song in her melodious voice while Sr. Monica, head nurse at sub district Hospital, Chicalim recited her Konkani poem ‘Xristi’ to walk away with the prizes.
The CYFC also felicitated the villagers Martinha Fernandes and Antoneta Fernandes for always being by the side of the youth to guide and help them in farming as well as other activities and also appreciated the inspiring farmer Rui Costa Araujo. Martinha was kind enough to answer an on the spot interview with Fr Peter Fernandes about entire post-harvest process. The program was compered by Crispino Faria and Agnelo Pereira. Captain Viriato Fernandes gave away the prizes and CYFC president Shogun Fernandes proposed the vote of thanks.
The Earth Day concluded with a traditional dinner prepared by CYFC where the people were served naturally grown brown rice, tasty prawn curry, toranchio xhiro, brinjal pickle and kokum juice.
Report By – Alisha Pereira Treasurer of CYFC