BIS # 3664 TO LORD GANESHA WITH LOVE - GOING GREEN

by Ms. Sunita D'Souza 

WADALA-MUMBAI, SEPTEMBER 2, 2013: It's that time of the year again when streets, shops, homes and offices are decked up and prepared for the installation of the idols of Lord Ganesha. St. Joseph's High School has also begun preparing the students for the festival – the Green Ganesha way. On the 30th of August, 2013, ten students from very class from Std. I - X assembled in the school hall for the 'Green Ganesha Workshop'. An eco-friendly organisation - Vidyamargam, demonstrated and helped the students in the preparation of Lord Ganesha idols that were eco-friendly, adorable and creative.

Ms. Ashwini from Vidyamargam addressed the students and stressed the importance of using eco-friendly material in the preparations of the idols of Lord Ganesha. Her team members conducted a presentation that outlined the harm caused by idols made with materials such as Plaster of Paris, etc. at the time of immersion. During the discussion there was an active participation from the students with amazing responses aimed at creating an eco-friendly atmosphere around the time of the season of Ganesh Chaturthi.

The students, divided into ten groups in order of their classes, were provided with clay by the members of Vidyamargam.  The ten instructors of Vidyamargam distributed themselves in each of these groups to personally instruct and assist the members of the group. It was indeed an efficient and effective arrangement since there was individual guidance and encouragement. To express their love and gratitude to Lord Ganesha for being with us, some students melodiously and joyously sang the 'Aarthi Prayer' – a prayer of praise and thanks to Lord Ganesha.  Another group of students joined in singing the song 'Bholenath'.

The Greenline team members, Mr. Aristo and Ms. Jessica, were in attendance. They marvelled at the eco-friendly idols of Lord Ganesha intricately and artistically designed by the students. Besides capturing the snapshots on their cameras, they were assigned the difficult task of selecting the best five designed idols from each of the two sections – the Primary and the Secondary.  They announced the results at the end of the workshop Fr. Bernard Fernandes (Principal), Ms. Nicole Britto, the Headmistress, and Mrs. Matilda Fernandes, the Primary Head teacher interacted with students moulding the idols in their own distinctive style and their own 'vision' of Lord Ganesha.

The workshop ended with a prayer. Fr. Bernard thanked the entire team of Vidyamargam, in particular the coordinator, Ms. Sunanda  Nevase, for their guidance and assistance. He also thanked the Greenline team members for their presence and assistance in all the greening activities.

Ganpati Bappa Moorya!