post news network, Bhubaneswar, July 1: Students of several English Medium Schools in the city began the celebrations of the ‘Van Mahotsav Week’, Wednesday, by planting saplings in their school premises as well as at other close-by places in their neighbourhood.
The weeklong festival that kicked off Wednesday was celebrated with much pomp and gaiety by the students and school managements with the intention of saving the planet through plantation of trees.
The students were enthusiastic about the Mahotsav and the majority of them said that social networking sites such as Facebook and micro blogging platforms such as Twitter contributed towards building their awareness about global warming and the need to save the planet earth by planting trees.
“I believe, the weeklong activities that we will undertake will impact the society and will create awareness among its members. We have planted many trees on our school premises today, marking the Mahotsav. This will be followed up by various activities related to conserving nature as also cultural functions such as dramas, recitations and other activities on our school premises. Me and my friends are taking part in various activities with the intention to spread awareness about conserving nature,” said Soumya Ranjan Samal, student, DAV Public School, Pokhariput.
Representatives of the management of most of the schools also participated in the activities as responsible citizens. “It is an ideal opportunity to instill the value of personal and social responsibility in the students in regard to safeguarding trees and forests. The focus of the celebration is towards forming a personal connect between the students and the trees through a process of experience,” said Satyabrata Minaketan, principal, ODM Public School.
Apart from planting trees students of different schools took part in other activities as well. Students of the Buxi Jagabandhu English Medium School took out a rally, which covered the whole of the BJB Nagar. The rally was followed by a plantation-of-trees programme in the Paramount field in front of the school.
“The students here are really enthusiastic about what is going on and they have thoroughly enjoyed the plantation process, wherein they got to know many important values pertaining to plantation of trees. We invited Subash Chandra Swain, the chief conservator of forests, so that students feel encouraged. I hope, the various programmes, which will be held on the following days, will surely spread the strong message among the students and public that environment must be protected,” Said Sandhya Jena, principal of the BJEM School.
Various activities such as the drama, drawing, recitation and impromptu speech competitions will be organised by the city schools in the following six days.