BIS #5074 GREEN SCHOOLS AWARDS 2017

BIS Correspondent




Matunga, Mumbai, March 9, 2017: The Green Schools Campaign 2016-2017 promoted by GreenLine came to a close with the Awards Ceremony on March 9, 2017 held in the auditorium of Don Bosco International School, Matunga. The renowned water conservationist Mr. Abid Surti, of Drop Dead Foundation fame,was the Chief Guest for the occasion, while the Guest of Honour was Father Edwin D’Souza, Chairperson of the Maschio Foundation. The Greenest School Award went to Auxilium Convent High School, Lonavla.

A total of 50 schools from across Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Lonavla had participated in this seventh edition of the Campaign which focused on the issue of water. The major topics dealt with through the year were Water Footprint, Local Waterbodies and Water Exploitation.

The day began with a set of workshops on short film making, green news reporting, growing micro-greens, street theatre and a tree walk, conducted by experts in these fields. The students could attend any workshop of their choice. The Awards Ceremony then got underway with Father Savio Silveira, GreenLine Director, welcoming the gathering and introducing the dignitaries. Macson Almeida from the GreenLine team then presented an overview of this edition of theCampaign. He described the various sessions held in the schools, the different activities carried out by the students, and the other events organized during the past year.

Mr. Abid Surti, addressing the students said “There was a time when I was concerned about the condition of the river Ganges and other global water issues.  But I realized there was little I could do about that. So, I decided to begin by saving water in my own home and my neighbourhood.” He invited the students to do whatever was in their capacity to make a difference to environmental issues that they encountered daily. Father D’Souza commending the enthusiasm of the participating schools, encouraged them to “become a force that contributes to the greening of our world”.


The highpoint of the programme was the announcement and giving away of the awards. The Greenest School Award went to Auxilium Convent High School, Lonavla. Sacred Heart High School, Vashi won the First Runner-up Award while Don Bosco High School, Borivali won the Second Runner-up Award. Awards were also given to the ‘Greenest Student’ from each of the participating schools.