Stressing on the fact that air pollution and water scarcity were being witnessed on a large scale in the State and country, at large, Rev. Fr. Xavier Pakiam SDB, the Economer of the province, who presided over the inaugural event, addressed the children to ‘care for our earth, which is our common home’. Don Bosco, Beatitudes, Vyasapadi premises was the venue for this gathering on November 26, 2017, organized by INM YaR Commission and coordinated by Fr. Joseph Leo, SDB the province YaR coordinator.

It was followed by the guest performance of Mr. Balaji, cine artist who invited the children to contribute their share in caring for the mother earth. Mime and Dance competitions were conducted among the YaR centres and together with it the children presented the unique best practices carried out in their respective YaR centres: Don Bosco Anbu Illam –Chennai (Fr. Joseph Leo), Don Bosco Anbu Illam – Kavarapettai (Fr. Gerard Majella), Anbagam, Pope Johns Garden- Madhavaram Anbagam, Pope Johns Garden- Madhavaram (Fr. Edwin Vasanthan), Don Bosco Beatitudes-Vysarpadi, Chennai (Fr. Joy Panakel), ANAT Farm, Mathur (Fr. Vincent Mariapragasam), Don Bosco Boy’s Home- Gedilam (Fr. Job David), Mariayala, Broadway, Chennai (Sr. Arul Mary).

DBICA, the communication department of the province screened carefully chosen short films on the topic and raised awareness on the need to act immediately to save the earth. It was followed by DBAI – HCL Gurukul students who displayed exhibits on “Save energy, save environment” inspiring their student friends to be active contributors in saving the earth from human exploitation.

Mr. George Muller, Project Manager, Bonn, Germany presided over the prize distribution ceremony and gave away prizes to the children. Don Bosco Beatitudes, Vyasapadi emerged as the best performers of the day. On the whole it was a celebration of the immediate need to care for the earth in ways to make it our common home.