gem

1. E-Newsletter-7/14
Green Earth Movement
An E-Newsletter for the cause of Environment, Peace, Harmony and Justice
Remember - “you and I can decide the future”
Crores of children choked by air they
breathe
Anilla Cherian Nov 16, 2016, DH
There should be no mistaking this unprecedented moment in global environmental
history. The much-lauded Paris Climate Agreement entered into force on Nov 4, 2016 but
it has quickly overshadowed by news of the US presidential election.
Climate change negotiators from all over the globe are gathered in Marrakesh, Morocco for the
annual Conference of the Parties - the 22nd such annual gathering (COP-22) in an attempt to
presumably scale up global action on climate change. But, prognostications about the future of
Paris Climate Agreement are “up in the air” guesses as the viability of the Agreement hinges
upon the decision of new US President-elect Donald Trump.
For the majority of developing countries, this uncertainty regarding the Paris Agreement quite
literally clouds a stark and chilling reality about how little has been done in terms of curbing toxic
levels of energy-related air pollution. A new report entitled, “Clear the Air for Children” released
by the UN Children’s Fund (Unicef) reveals the damagingly tragic cost borne by children,
especially the youngest and the poorest amongst them, who are literally being choked by the
toxic air they breathe.
This report provides conclusive global evidence of those who suffer most at intersection
between poverty and toxic air pollution. Based on satellite imagery of outdoor air pollution, this
Unicef report provides for the first time ever, the geographic scope and scale of pollution levels
faced by children across the world. The number of children exposed to outdoor pollution that
exceeds global guidelines set by the World Health Organisation (WHO) is staggering.
The report reveals that 300 million children, particularly the most vulnerable and disadvantaged,
are being crippled by the damaging health impacts of toxic outdoor air pollution. These 300
million children live in areas where the toxic outdoor air pollution exceeds international limits by

2. at least six times.
But the amount of damage from toxic air pollution on children is much more pervasive than
previously understood because the report also finds that about two billion children live in areas
where outdoor air pollution, caused by factors such as vehicle emissions, heavy use of fossil
fuels, dust and burning of waste, exceeds the minimum air quality international guidelines – an
annual limit of 10 μg/m3 (the amount of micrograms of ultra-fine particulate matter per cubic
metre of air that constitutes a long term hazard) set by the WHO.
Disparities exist in terms of exposure to toxic air pollution. South Asia has the largest number of
children living with toxic air pollution – 620 million, East Asia and Pacific region has 450 million
children, followed by West and Central Africa - 240 million and Eastern and Southern Africa -
200 million – comprising a total of two billion children living in areas that exceed WHO guideline
limits of 10 μg/m3
Air pollution has long been directly linked with morbidity. In 2012, the WHO reported that air
pollution was linked with one out of every eight deaths globally – or around seven million people.
This made it one of the largest global problems facing the world. Around 6,00,000 of those were
children under five years of age globally. Almost one million children die from pneumonia each
year and more than half of which are directly related to air pollution.
But what this report argues is that “children are uniquely vulnerable to air pollution – due both to
their physiology as well as to the type and degree of their exposure”. There are several reasons
for this vulnerability amongst children including that their respiratory airways are smaller so
infections are more likely to cause blockages than in adults; they breathe twice as fast, taking in
more air per unit of body weight, compared to adults; their lungs and immune systems are still
developing, so they are highly susceptible to infections, which both increases the risks of
respiratory infection and reduces their ability to combat such infections.
Disruptive development
The report provides growing evidence that air pollution can disrupt physical and cognitive
development at all stages of child development. Studies have shown that chronic exposure to
high levels of particulate matter (PM2.5 – which consists of particulate matter with a median
diameter of less than 2.5 microns, approximately one thirtieth the width of average human hair)
is associated with higher rates of early foetal loss, preterm delivery, lower birth weight as well as
chronic lung diseases amongst adults and children.
The recent publication from the WHO indicates that urban outdoor air pollution has increased by
about 8% between 2008 and 2013 and the future looks bleak for children with under-5 mortality
estimated to be as much as 50% higher than current estimates by 2050 as a result of outdoor air
pollution. Sadly, income disparities correlate with exposure to air pollution.
Lower income areas which have fewer resources to manage waste, and include the burning of
plastics, rubber and electronics are exposed to greater amounts of highly toxic airborne
chemicals. Poorer families are also less likely to have resources for air ventilation and filtration
systems that can safeguard against harmful air pollution.
While outdoor air pollution tends to be worse in poor urban communities, indoor air pollution
impacts worse on rural communities where solid/biomass fuels are more frequently used in
cooking and heating due to lack of access to other forms of energy. Some 81% of rural
households in India use biomass fuel. Over 1 billion children live in homes where solid/biomass

3. fuels are used in cooking and heating.
Reducing air pollution and meeting global air quality guidelines for PM 2.5 is one of the most
important things we can do for children, and these measures also allow for reduction of short
term climate pollutants. So will there be global action to protect children or will bilious pollution
levels continue unabated?
Kalina teacher, students recycle 30,000 Tetra Pak cartons in 3
years
Badri Chatterjee, HT, Nov. 21, 2016
Stancy Estibiero (in blue and green) and Sister Jessy, principal, with ex-students of Mary
Immaculate Girl’s High School with the bin and bench made of Tetra Paks in Kalina, Santacruz on
Saturday. (Vidya Subramanian/HT)
While most of us discard empty Tetra Pak cartons after use, a 57-year-old science teacher and 1,360 of
her students have found an alternative use for them. For the past three years, Stancy Estibiero and her
students from Mary Immaculate Girl’s High School, Kalina have recycled more than 30,000 cartons and
converted them into benches, reusable bins, desks and notebooks.
In August, 2013, students from class 5 to 10 were sensitisedabout the benefits of recycling by experts in
waste management, RUR Greenlife (Are You Reducing Reusing Recycling) through presentations,
demonstrations and street plays. They began collectingempty cartons from their school and
neighbourhood, under Estibiero’s supervision, and sent them to Sahakari Bhandar, a firm that recycles
waste products in a Palghar plant.
Currently, only 20% of used Tetra Pak cartons are recycled in the city, according to RUR Greenlife. The
remaining end up at overburdened dumping grounds,where they are mixed with other dry waste such as
plastic, debris and cloth. This makes the process of decomposition take much longer, and generates
suppressed methane, which easily ignites.
“People have umpteen opportunities to save the earth through small initiatives of their own. This was our
way of doing it,” said Estibiero, who has been teaching at the school for 33 years. “Asa science teacher, it
was easier for me to sensitise my students as the information was consolidated as a part of Environmental
Sciences (EVS) subject for classes 9 and 10.”
270 trees likely to be hacked for a Metro station!
Monday, November 14, 2016
By Sonali Telang

4. Approximately 270 trees would be chopped down in Colaba for the proposed construction of
metro station box for the Cuffe Parade station. The metro station would be built incorporating
New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM) technology which involves digging and cutting of
tunnels. In this way, the underground metro rail is expected to cause minimum damage to the
environment, thus creating an eco-friendly commute system. However, the environmentalists
expressed that the tree-cutting should not be to this vast extent, if eco-friendly technologies are
used.
“We are totally aghast at the request of Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. to the Tree
Authority of BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) to grant them permission for the
removal of 270 trees. If the technology involved in question is latest, then why this mindless
destruction of nature?,” said Nicholas Almeida of NGO, Watchdog Foundation.
According to the Tree Authority of BMC, 270 trees would be cut for the upcoming metro station
box in Cuffe Parade, wherein 109 trees will be transplanted. However, the tree-activists fear that
the actual number may be more.
During May 2016, Watchdog Foundation had objected to the removal of 531 trees for the
proposed Metro Line Project at K/ E Ward of Santacruz Electronics Export Processing Zone
(SEEPZ) in Andheri. The Superintendent of Garden Department had assured that necessary
steps would be taken to ensure that minimum trees would be cut down. For the same reason,
the NATM technology was recommended which is an excavation method for modern tunnel
design and construction.
“At that time, the Superintendent of Gardens was pleased to direct the Metro Rail Corporation to
consider taking necessary steps regarding utilisation of such technology for construction of
metro stations on Metro Line 3, owing to which there wouldn't be any need for the removal of
these many trees.”
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS on Infant
Jesus church, Jogeshwari, Mumbai
SCC ECO KIDS CLUBS
Concerned with environmental issues, Pope Francis had issued an encyclical
‘Laudato Si’ meaning ‘Praised be to God’.
Those interestedto work with kids in preparing them to be the future environmentalist are encouraged to
read the following ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ (FAQs) on Infant Jesus Church, Jogeshwari. Even if you

5. are not interested, but read the FAQs for curiosity sake, who knows? Perhaps you may change. Take a
chance, and read till the end to get the complete idea of this SCC KIDS PROJECT. – Fr Felix.
1] WHEN WAS ECO KIDS CLUBS STARTED FUNCTIONING AT YOUR CHURCH?
Ans: From October 2015
2] WHAT IS THE BASE FOR ECO KIDS CLUBS?
A: SCC is the base of ECO KIDS CLUBS. Every SCC unit of the parish is encouraged to start the KIDS
ECO CLUBS.
3] WHO GUIDES/ANIMATES THESE GROUPS?
A: Each SCC Unit appoints 1 or 2 animators to be in-charge to guide of KIDS ECO CLUBS.
4] WHAT ABOUT ECO KIDS OFFICE BEARERS?
A: To train the future leaders, each ECO KIDS CLUB appoints three senior kids (9th to 11th std) as office
bearers - President, Secretary and Treasurer.
5] HOW MANY SCC UNITS ARE THERE IN YOUR PARISH, AND HOW MANY SCCs HAVE
SUCCEEDED IN STARTING THE ECO KIDS CLUBS?
A: We have 18 SCC units in our parish. Depending on the interest and leadership quality of the animator,
and response by the people, 8 SCCs could able to start the ECO KIDS CLUBS in one year. Hoping to
start more in due course.
6] WHO CAN JOIN THE ECO KIDS CLUBS?
A: All kids from 5th to 11th std residing within the geographical area of that SCC can join the ECO KIDS
CLUB.
7] CAN KIDS OF OTHER FAITHS JOIN ECO KIDS?
A: Of course! We encourage all kids irrespective of caste and creed to join the ECO KIDS CLUB. In fact
majority of the eco kids members of our parish are from other faiths.
8] HOW MANY MEMBERS EACH ECO KIDS GROUP CAN HAVE?
A: For the sake of effective functioning, the number of members in each ECO KIDS Group is restrictedto
20 kids.
9] WHAT HAPPENS IF MORE KIDS WANT TO JOIN?
A: In a particular SCC if more kids want to join, that SCC is encouraged to start a second, third… group
and so on.
10] WHAT ABOUT FUNDS FOR EXPENSES FOR RUNNING THE ECO KIDS GROUPS?
A: A commitment fee of Rs 10/- per month is charged for each kid. If paid for the full year in advance, 2
months discount is given.

6. 11] IS THE PARISH CONTRIBUTES FOR THE ECO KIDS MOVEMENT FINANCIALLY?
A: Yes, for each kid Rs 20/- per month (double the member’s share) is contributed by the parish. This
means, the group has a budget of Rs 30/- per kid each month.
12] HOW THIS MONEY Rs 30/- PER ECO KID IS SPENT?
A: This amount is used for refreshments during meeting or other ECO KIDS projects , prizes for various
contests, stationary and other miscellaneous expenses.
13] IS THERE ANY OTHER WAY PARISH INVESTS ON ECO KIDS?
A: Yes, whenever there are major programmes like ANNUAL ENVIRONMENT RALLY, parish invests
a good amount on ECO KIDS movement.
14] HAS ECO KIDS CLUBS HAVE TO GIVE ANY ACCOUNTS TO THE CHURCH?
A: Yes, there is an accounts statement sectionin the monthly feedback. Each month, the animators in-
charge are expected to submit the income and expenses statement to the parish.
15] DOES ECO KIDS MEET FOR ANY MEETING?
A: Yes, the ECO KIDS meet every month along with their animator in-charge on next Sunday after the
PPC meeting. For each meeting a project is allotted in advance.
16] WHAT ARE THE VARIOUS PROJECTS CONDUCTED BY ECO KIDS?
A: As kids, it is understandable that they are not expected to conduct big projects. However, the ECO
KIDS organise small projects, especially to bring awareness on various environmental issues affecting
the present and future generations
17] ANY EXAMPLES OF THE PROJECTS CONDUCTED BY THE ECO KIDS?
A: For example the schedule of projects for (2016-17) are: June: Elocution contest on any eco theme
(SCC level); July: Elocution contest final (parish level); August: Online Action song on any eco theme
(SCC level); Sep: E-Waste collection(SCC level) and so on for each month 1 project.
18] HOW DO YOU FOLLOW UP ON THE FUNCTIONING OF THE ECO CLUBS?
A: To facilitate a close follow up on the KIDS ECO CLUB project, the coordinators are expected to
submit a monthly feedback form. This feedback form contains the names of kids attended for the meeting,
a brief report on the project conducted, and the accounts details for the month. (sample form available in
the website – www.infantjesusjogeshwari.in GEM section.)
19] HOW DO YOU ASSESS THE PERFORMANCE?
A: To motivate the group to do their best, and to create a healthy competition, the following pointing
system is followed: Early bird reporting – 10 points; Monthly meeting attendance – 5 points per kid;
Monthly project – 20 points; Neatness in report writing – 5 points.
20] HOW DO YOU REWARD THE BEST PERFORMERS?
A: Once a year, at the end of academic year, we have an ENVIRONMENT RALLY. This rally consists of
2 parts. The first part is WALK FOR ENVIRONMENT and the second part is a STAGE PROGRAMME.
During the stage programme individual and group performers of the year are given prizes and certificates.
21] FOR WHICH ACTIVITY PRIZES AND CERIFICATES ARE AWARDED?
A: The ECO KIDS group which scores highest in overall points is awarded with the ROTATING
TROPHY for the BEST ECO KIDS CLUB of the year. Besides, as a gesture of appreciation, a cash prize
is given to the top three ECO KIDS CLUBS. Also, the individual ECO KIDS who stand top on various
contests held during the year are given the prizes and MERIT AND APPRECIATION certificates.

7. 22] WHAT IS THE APPRECIATION CERTIFICATE?
A: As an encouragement for ECO KIDS to attend the monthly meetings regularly, and actively participate
in the activities, the ECO KIDS who get 100% attendance for the monthly meetings are given the GEM
APPRECIATION CERTIFCATE.
23] WHY DO YOU THINK ECO KIDS MOVEMENT IS SO IMPORTANT?
A: If we have to put into practice the teachings of Pope, we need the help of kids. Kids are more open to
change than adults. Moreover the kids will be the direct beneficiaries of a CLEAN AND GREEN EARTH
as they will live for many more years than the elders. This is a good reason why all kids must be trained as
the ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISTS!
24] ONE FINAL QUESTION – WHY DO YOU PROPOSE THIS PROJECT TO OTHER PARISHES?
A: Pope Francis says, “All of us can cooperate as instruments of God for the care of creation”. These
words of Pope can become a reality only when all the parishes involve themselves in this work of care for
creation. For example, if 100 Mumbai parishes start the SCC ECO KIDS groups in their respective
parishes with a minimum of 100 kids, you will have a whopping 10,000 kids (100x100) who would
directly involved in environmental protectionactivities. Besides, kids will influence thousands others –
their families, neighbours, friends etc.
25] DO YOU HAVE ANY LAST MESSAGE?
A: The problem of environment here to stay! If all the parishes start the SCC ECO KIDS CLUBS, it will
be a great tribute to Pope Francis’ timely encyclical ‘Laudato Si’.
NOTE: If you visit www.infantjesusjogeshwari.in you will find plenty of resource materials including
PowerPoint Presentations on environmental issues which you can use for ECO KIDS CLUBS or any other
groups. Following are few photographs of our parish ECO KIDS activities.
Fr Felix
ABOVE AVAILABLE ALSO IN THE FORM OF POWERPOINT PRESENTATION
On INFANT JESUS CHURCH, Jogeshwari
SCC ECO KIDS CLUBS
Visit www.infantjesusjogeshwari.in
Go to the GEM PPT section and read

8. SCC ECO KIDS CLUBS.
You can use this PPT for bringing awareness for
various church and other groups.
Juhu beach to get makeover in 4 months
HT 31 Oct pg 1
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has rolled out the tenders for the project, which is
part of the planned Rs22-crore makeover of Gorai, Dadar and Juhu beaches. Juhu is the first
beach to be taken up for beautification. Next would be Dadar and Gorai. The BMC is mulling a
makeover of Mahim and Girgaum beaches too. Officials said that the makeover contracts will
include a fiveyear maintenance and two-year warranty clauses.
Civic officials have been working on the makeover design for months now. “We are looking at
design catalogues, reading on the internet and looking at international beaches to get ideas.
Most of the designs are being done by BMC engineers themselves,” said a senior official.Dr
Sanjay Mukherjee, additional municipal commissioner (projects), who is in charge of the
beautification projects, said, “We are undertaking several beatification projects this fiscal. The
idea is to provide more recreational spaces for citizens to spend time in leisure.”
While the city is known for its shoreline, the beaches are often dirty with poor lighting. Senior
civic officials said they planned the makeover after receiving numerous complaints from citizens.
Apart from beaches, the civic body has also taken up the beautification of forts and is developing
gardens in the city.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has rolled out the tenders for the project, which is
part of the planned `22-crore makeover of Gorai, Dadar and Juhu beaches Juhu is the first
beach to be taken up for beautification Next would be Dadar and Gorai The BMC is mulling
makeover of Mahim and Girgaum beaches too.
FIFTY CYCLISTS COME TOGETHER TO SAVE
SAHYADRI’S BIODIVERSITY
By Mitaksh Jain, Mumbai Mirror | Nov 17, 2016

9. Mumbai: Fifty cyclists hailing from different parts of Maharashtra will traverse a 1,200-
kilometre journey across the Sahyadri—a mountain range running parallel to the western coast
of the Indian peninsula—as part of an advocacy campaign titled Save Our Sahyadri (SOS). The
journey will witness cyclists trundle through hamlets at the foothills of the Deccan Plateau
between December 1 and December 9. Their travel will begin from Navapur in Nandurbar and
culminate at Mahabaleshwar. The aim of the rally is to drum up support for the conservation of
Sahyadri's rich biodiversity and flag concerns which put the existence of its unique ecosystem at
risk.
The campaign, spearheaded by Ashwamedh Pratishthan with University of Mumbai as its
knowledge partner, will also see activities such as exhibitions, presentations and street plays in
36 villages and towns. Local activists, who are representatives of the campaign, will participate
in such activities. Also, an international conference is planned for June 2017 in association with
the University of Mumbai on the occasion of World Environment Day.
Veteran environmentalist Ulhas Rane, who has been advising the campaign since its inception,
said, "Thirty years ago, the Save Western Ghats Movement sought to do the same and we are
only taking that work forward. There is an urgent need to get everyone together in an organised
fashion by creating a platform that addresses the problems besetting us. The international
conference in June 2017 will seek to do just that." When asked about the significance of the cycle
rally, Campaign Chief Bibhas Amonkar said, "We chose the bicycle to take the message to the
masses because it is the most eco-friendly means of mobility. Apart from being the carriers of
the message, the cyclists will also collect data on the biodiversity along the way."
Mumbai University's NSS Convenor Prof BS Bidve said, "Colleges closer to the Sahyadri range
have eco-clubs and they will be presenting 101 street plays across the state as part of the
campaign and also help organise documentary screenings at the villages."
The rich biodiversity of the Western Ghats led to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declaring it as a world heritage site in 2012. Of late, it has been
facing several problems like deforestation, wildfires, illegal hunting, soil mining, unregulated
forest tourism and plastic litter.
NGT orders closure of 21 hotmix plants in Noida, Gr
Noida
Press Trust of India | New Delhi November 23, 2016

10. Do you want a child to be confined in the house without even knowing the level of polluted air he
is inhaling, the National Green Tribunal sternly told UP officials today as it ordered 21 hot mix
plants in Noida and Greater Noidato be shut down forthwith for adding to the already polluted
air. A bench headed by NGT chairperson Swatanter Kumar pulled up Uttar Pradesh officials for
not taking action against the builders responsible for polluting emissions caused by construction
and transportation of construction materials.
The tribunal also said it was evident that the authorities have failed to perform their duties and
were instead "shifting blame" on each other. "We order that all the 21 hot mix plants in Noida,
Greater Noida be shut down. They are operating illegally in Noidaand Greater Noida," it said.
"All officials especially Chairman of UP Pollution Control Board, District Magistrate, CEOs
of Noida and Greater Noida shall file reply to the show cause notice as to why they failed to act
against illegal and unauthorised operation of hot mix plants and other plants. Why they did not
initiate action against builders? The hot mix plants are responsible for dust," it said and fixed the
matter for December 14.
The bench said all these hot mix plants will not be allowed to operate till they take permission in
accordance with the tribunal's order. Hot mix plants are self-contained bitumen and aggregate
mixing plants which are extremely compact in size. During the hearing, the bench observed that
the main sufferers of pollution are young generation. "You want a child to remain inside the
house for 24 hours, without even knowing the level of pollution he is inhaling even inside the
house. It is a painful experience," it said.
The bench passed the order on a plea by lawyer Sanjay Kumar in which he alleged that dozens of
hot mix plants were operating in the village Wazirpur, Nagli Nagla and Chak Basant Pur of
Gautam Buddha Nagar district in Uttar Pradesh. He also filed photographs to show that all
these hot mix plants are emitting highly polluting carcinogenic emission, which may cause
cancer. The photographs showed that these hot mix plants were located at the very short
distance from main roads, schools, hospitals and the residential complexes. According to
Kumar, this "activity was adding tremendously to the already polluted ambient air
of NOIDA and even affects the NCT of Delhi".
During the hearing, the bench directed the authorities to implement its earlier order and
directed that half of the staff of UPCCB and administrations Noida, Greater Noida and that of
the District Magistrates, will be on the field for two months to observe dust emission, fire
burning instances and take action against the violators.

11. BE AN ENVIRONMENTALIST, BE A RESOURCE
PERSON!
Pope Francis says "Together, we pledge our commitment to raising
awareness about the stewardship of creation".(ref. Laudato Si encyclical on
Environment). Awareness can bring change in our attitude towards various
environmental issues plaguing our Mother Earth, and motivate us to act.
Here is an opportunity for you to bring this awareness to various groups with
the help of GEM PowerPoint Presentations (PPTs). You do not have to
necessarily invite any experts to teach about environment, because as
dwellers of ‘Mother Earth’ each one of us can experience the pain ‘Mother
Earth’, and can share it with others in our own simple ways.
The GEM PPTs can only be a help. There are nearly 40 GEM PPTs, editable and
simple (courtesy: Internet). As a resource person, you can read it a couple of
times. Also get more familiar with the subject by reading some more
information on that particular topic from internet resources. When you are
somewhat prepared, you can give a session to your group like school/college
students, parish groups, housing societies, NGOs etc. To name a few of GEM
PPTs:
1. Twenty Simple Tips
2. Solar Energy
3. Junk Food
4. Plastic – a boon or bane?
5. Green Passion
6. Zero Garbage
7. Soft drink – A Health Hazard
8. Waste to energy
9. Rain Water Harvesting
10. Eco-friendly Religions
11. Happy Green Diwali
12. Climate Change
13. The future of Biodiversity
14. Genetically Modified Foods
15. Waste Water Treatment
16. Body, Organ, Tissue Donation
17. Organic Farming
18. Waste to cooking gas
19. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
20. Protect Mangroves
21. Say NO to Bottled water
22. Save Lakes and Ponds
23. Forests are green lungs
24. Coal Mining and Ecology
25. Sin of Food Waste
26. Climate change and Poverty
27. Stop Water Pollution
28. Carbon Footprints
29. Parks and Open Spaces
30. Rising Sea Levels
31. Laudato Si – Pope’s Encyclical
32.Air Pollution
33. Life Style Changes
34. Water Pollution
35. Sand Mining
36. Bees and Environment
37. Joy of Gardening

12. Polluted lake could not make it to HMDA’s
list
TNN | Updated: Nov 17, 2016
HYDERABAD: The Bam Ruknud-Dowlah lake continues to be at peril as it does not find a place
on the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority's list of of over 2,800 lakes, said noted
environmentalist Lubna Sarwath. Speaking at the sidelines of a programme on Musi protection
at the Government City College, Sarwath said, the Bam Rukn-ud-Dowlah lake in Shivrampally
made a case for its listing. To ignore the lake, she asserted, is a wrong move by the civic body.
"We have been coordinating with the HMDA since 2011 and have complained several times to
them of the issues of full tank level (FTL) demarcation, encroachments and pollution.Despite
our regular representation and complaints, the lake has not been put on the list," said Sarwath.
She explained that it was in 2012 that a joint inspection of the lake was conducted by officials of
HMDA and members of an NGO namely Save Our Urban Lakes (SOUL).The pollution and
encroachments were were a few of the aspects with were underscored. "It was stated that the
lake is a part of the Mir Alam Basin and yet the lake in not on the list of more than 2,800 lakes,"
Sarwath,who is also associated with SOUL,said .
Another inspection was conducted in 2014 and a consultant which was taken on board to
demarcate the full tank level did an assessment. "While the demarcation went on for around
three days, we have not been given the maps. There is another issue of the entry to the lake being
restricted. This too is wrong. Drastic measures are required to deal with this issue," she said.
At the environment protection programme, MSc students were told about the ill-effects of
damaging the river. "The river is polluted from all sides, the northern part of the river is
massively affected by industrial effluents," said Lubna Sarwath. Following a presentation by
Sarwath, the students began chanting slogans.
Need a mass movement to conserve forest, says
environment minister Anil Madhav Dave
IANS | Nov 23, 2016

13. NEW DELHI: Union Environment minister Anil Madhav Dave on Wednesday said that a 'Jan Andolan' --
mass movement -- is needed for regeneration of the forests and nature. The minister who advocated a
Gandhian way of life for ecological sustainability at the recently held COP22 at Marrakech in Morocco,
pointed out the need to relate with nature. "We need to relookat our relationship with land, soils and
forests -- first empathize and relate to nature if we want to minimise our carbon footprint," Dave said at a
conference 'Securing the forest, land and soil' held by think tank Club of Rome.
The minster said that the understanding for nature is in-built in our DNA and added, "If we are to deal
with the issues of today, we should make regeneration of forest and soil a Jan Andolan."
Depicting some challenges that Indian mission of sustainable lifestyle faces, the think tank said, "India
needs some 1.5 Indias (in terms of biocapacity, resources etc.) to sustain itself, up from the 0.3 or 0.4
India it needed at Independence."
Even though the per capita ecological footprint is modest, due to its population and size India as a nation
has the third largest ecological footprint in the world. "The challenge for our planet is that when
population will cross over nine billion by 2050, 50 per cent additional power, 30 per cent additional food
and 50 per cent additional water would be required," said S Ramadorai, Chairman of Indian National
Association for the Club of Rome.
He added that India is among 12 mega diversity regions of the world, holds seven per cent of the world's
biodiversity and supports 16 major forest types, and yet sustaining all that is an area of major concern for
us.
'Ecological Island' in Vatican aims for optimum
disposal of waste

14. (Vatican Radio) A so-called “Ecological Island” has sprung up in the Vatican with the aim to recycle and
dispose waste in the most sustainable manner. As from Monday, 14 November, a special area has been set
aside inside Vatican City State to optimize waste management in accordance with the most advanced
waste legislation and technological means available. Although the Vatican’s territory is extremely small,
the tiniest State in the world does produce waste and started a formal waste and recycling collection
program back in 2008.
More than 200 drop-off containers for household trash and recyclables were strategically placed
throughout the 110-acres that make up Vatican City State. 42% percent of those were designated for
source-separated paper, glass, plastic and aluminum containers.
The newly inaugurated ‘ecological island’ provides a space where all types of waste will be dealt with and
disposed of according to the specific indications of its category. The first category being processed is that
of paper and cardboard which will be compacted and recycled by some thirty workers who have been
trained also to deal with bulk waste, white goods, tires, household hazardous waste, outdated
pharmaceuticals, fluorescent bulbs, renderings from the butcher shop and of course organic compost –
which is put to good use in the Vatican’s lush gardens.
A press release points out that Pope Francis’ encyclical ‘Laudato Sii, on the care for our common home’
played an important part in jolting the system into action! And yes; this is no small contribution towards a
waste and recycling program which has ended up boasting a pretty impressive array of services by
anybody’s standards.
Cash King: Karnataka billionaire builds model
palace for daughter's 500-crore wedding
Anna Isaac| Monday, November 14, 2016
The NEWSminute
Mining baron Janardhana Reddy has recreated the Vijayanagara empire at
Palace Grounds in Bengaluru.
If there’s one family in the country that hasn’t been crippled by a cash crunch following the
demonetisation announcement, then it has to be the Gali Janardhana Reddy family. The mining baron and
former Karnataka minister, who is an accused in several money laundering and illegal mining cases, has
spared no expense, effort or imagination to host the biggest, fattest wedding that Bengaluru has ever
witnessed for his daughter, Brahmini. So, while thousands of Bengalureans are waiting in line across
banks in the city, hundreds unable to afford a meal, Janardhana Reddy is reportedly spending a whopping
500 crore rupees on his daughter’s wedding.
The four-day ostentatious affair, which began on November 12 with a mehendi ceremony will culminate
in an outrageously extravagant wedding on November 16.

15. What does 500 crore rupees buy, you ask?
For starters, Janardhana Reddy, who reportedly believes he’s the reincarnation of the 14th century
Vijayanagara King Krishnadevaraya, has recreated the Vijayanagara empire on 36 acres of land at Palace
Grounds in Bengaluru.The groom Rajeev Reddy, the son of a Hyderabad based industrialist, will tie the
knot with Brahmini in a kalyana mantapa (wedding pavilion) that will resemble the Vijaya Vittala Temple
in Hampi, reports BTV. Eight priests from the Tirupati Thirumala temple will perform the rituals,
reports India Today.
That’s not all. No faux-royal wedding is complete without a palace. Janardhana Reddy’s money will be
spent on building King Krishnadevaraya’s palace, Lotus Mahal and Mahanavami Dibba all painstakingly
reconstructed by some of Bollywood’s biggest art directors and around 100 labourers, reports Deccan
Chronicle. The word “simple” it seems is missing from Janardhana Reddy’s lexicon. The former BJP
minister will reconstruct his childhood home “Hale Mane” in Belgaavi and it is here that he will hand
over his daughter to the groom.The other frills at the big fat Reddy wedding include elephants, camels and
chariots. The dining hall will resemble a traditional village set-up in Bellari.
The wedding of the year will also, if rumours are to be believed, see the King Khan of Bollywood Shah
Rukh Khan and Prabhu Deva perform. Other celebrity names doing the rounds are Alia Bhatt and Varun
Dhavan while Tollywood’s Rakul Preet Singh, Priya Mani, comedians Brahmanandam, and Ali are
among the A-list performers, reports Manorama. The newspaper estimates that 30,000 guests will
participate in the wedding festivities, with 1500 rooms in star hotels booked to accommodate them, while
2000 cabs will ferry them to the venue and back. 15 helipads have also been set up to fly-in VIP guests.
Keeping with palatial theme, attendants will be dressed as soldiers to usher the guests into the wedding.
The bride’s wedding trousseau will comprise a Rs 17-crore saree, which she will wear on her wedding
day. The multi-crore saree will be accessorisedwith jewellery worth 90 crore rupees, gifted by the bride’s
father for the special day.
But how exactly is Janardhana Reddy footing the bill for the extravagant wedding?
Having been arrested by the CBI on the charges of illegal mining in 2011, Janardhana Reddy was granted
bail by the Supreme Court in January 2015 on the condition that he does not visit his hometown of Ballari
and Kadapa, where his mining company is situated. The apex court, however, relaxed its restrictions for
21 days from November 1 to November 21, allowing him to visit Ballari in view of his daughter’s
wedding.
In 2014, a special anti-money laundering court attached assets worth Rs 37.86 crore belonging to
Janardhana Reddy and his wife in connection with the mining scam. The ED had also frozen his bank
accounts, besides attaching properties in Bengaluru and Ballari. Quoting anti-corruption
activists, Hindustan Times reported in January 2015 that that the BJP leader has parked between Rs
40,000 crore to Rs 50,000 crore in tax havens such as Singapore, Mauritius and Isle of Man. But the
CBI’s conservative figure pegged the mining baron’s off-shore money at Rs 5000 crore, with the report
suggesting that the investigating agency was finding it difficult to recover the money, as officials at the
tax havens were refusing to share information on Janardhana Reddy’s wealth.
But not everyone is on-board with the over-the-top spectacle, especially when lakhs across the country are
scrounging for cash. State health minister KR Ramesh Kumar, who had introduced the private members
bill to stop the excessive display of wealth at weddings, had stated that no individual with self-respect
would attend the wedding.
Publicly deriding Janardhana Reddy for his daughter’s opulent wedding card, fitted with an LCD screen,
Kumar said, “It is a sheer obscene display of wealth. I will not attend this marriage. I will not attend such
marriages if any of my relatives or friends indulge in displaying the wealth.”

16. Telangana CM moves into Rs 50 cr dream
home
Suresh Dharur, Tribune News Service
Hyderabad, November 24
Amidst the Opposition criticism of his lavish splurge of the taxpayers’ money, Telangana Chief
Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has moved into a swanky, Vasthu-compliant bungalow in the
heart of the city, built at a cost of Rs 50 crore. Spread over nine acres in the posh Begumpet area,
the highly fortified complex has five buildings, including the residential bungalow of the Chief
Minister, camp office, conference hall and residential quarters for a few top officials.
Dubbed by the Opposition parties as a symbol of “wasteful indulgence”, it is said to be the largest
official-cum-residential complexes for any Chief Minister in the country. The complex has been
built by Mumbai-based realty major Shapoorji Pallonji, owned by the family of Cyrus Mistry.
The complex, christened as “Pragathi Bhavan”, also has a theatre that can accommodate 250
people and double up as an auditorium, homes for DGP and Chief Secretary, a massive
conference hall, and a mini secretariat, which will include some government offices. The
windows of the bungalow are fitted with bullet-proof glass.
The conference hall, named “Janahita”, with a seating capacity of 500, will be used by the Chief
Minister to hold meetings with various sections of people to formulate the government’s policies
and programmes and review their implementation, an official spokesperson said. Known for his
penchant for Vasthu and religious rituals, the Chief Minister entered his dream house at 5.22 am
on Thursday and performed the house-warming ceremony with Vedic rituals under the auspices
of seer Chinna Jeeyar Swamy.
The new complex also has high-security features, including high-rise compound wall, windows
fitted with bullet-proof glasses both in official and residential quarters and CCTV cameras.
Around 50 security personnel, including those from the intelligence wing, would be guarding the
complex round the clock. The CM’s latest splurge has evoked protests from the opposition. “It
was morally incorrect and insensitive on the part of CM to move into a posh new bungalow
without fulfilling the poll promise of providing double-bedroom houses to the poor,” Congress’
Mohammed Ali Shabbir said.
COMMANDMENTS FOR ECO-FRIENDLY
LIVING

17. Great things can happen by doing series of small things
COMMANDMENTS FOR ECO-FRIENDLY LIVING
1] Carry reusable bag (jute, cloth, thick plastic) when you go for bazaar. Refuse
to take thin plastic bags.
2] Avoid using vehicles for short distance. Walk.
3] Carry your own water bottle wherever you go, and avoid buying mineral water.
4] Try to save cooking gas by avoiding heating food repeatedly. Family can eat
together and avoid heating food at different times.
5] Avoid compulsive shopping. While shopping question yourself – do I really need
this item (cloth, utensil, gadget, furniture etc)
6] Try to use the household items, gadgets etc till it becomes completely useless
(use it as long as possible).
7] Reduce, reuse, recycle – Reduce means buy things only if it is really needed.
Reuse means, use things which can be used repeatedly (example - plates, glasses,
spoons), recycle means, instead of sending certain items to the dumping grounds,
sell them to the scrape dealers who use the items for recycling purposes.
8] Segregate garbage into wet and dry. Wet waste can be used for composting.
9] Save water creatively – if possible avoid using washing machine which takes lot
of water, avoid big size toilet flushes or pour water in the mug instead of
pressing flush after each time you use the toilet, recycle the water – example,
after washing clothes, cleaner water left out can be used for plants, washing
floor/toilets etc.
10] Save electricity by using energy saving bulbs. Wherever possible make use of
the natural light.
11] Do not discard papers without making full use of the blank space. Example use
both sides of the pages, reuse envelopes for internal correspondence

18. 12] From time to time take the inventory of the things lying at your home.
Question ‘do I need these things’? Things which are not used by you for long can
be donated to charitable NGOs or needy families.
I LOVE MY OLD BIBLE, says Pope Francis
Pope Francis says, “You could buy me a new Bible for $1,000, but I would not want it.
I love my old Bible, which has accompanied me half my life. It has been with me
in my times of joy and times of tears. It is my most precious treasure. I live out of
it, and I wouldn’t give anything in the world for it”.
Read the complete article on ‘Pope and Bible’. Visit www.infantjesusjogeshwari.in go
to the BIBLE QUEST SECTION, page 4, article 3 in the website.
Following Pope’s example, can our parishes encourage the parishioners to read the
bible more frequently? Conducting monthly bible quiz is one of the best ways to
encourage people to read the Bible throughout the year.
For further details on organising monthly BIBLE QUEST visit the same website and
read ‘Introduction to Bible Quest’ article 1, in the same section. Conducting monthly
BIBLE QUEST is a good opportunity to revive the PARISH BIBLE CELLS of our
parishes.
43 sets of ready to use BIBLE QUIZZES (with answers) are available in the BIBLE
QUEST section of the above website. BIBLE QUEST is successfully conducted in
the Infant Jesus church, Jogeshwari for the last one year and continuing this year
TEACH THEM TO FISH
It is said that, “Give someone a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and
you feed him for a lifetime”.
Educating youngstersintheir higher educationislike teaching them tofish. But thereare
many economicallypoor, but bright studentswhocannot afford to pay the higher

19. educationfee as it costs in thousandsor in lacs. To help such studentsto continue their
further studies, Infant Jesus Church, Jogeshwari hasstarted a scheme - “Helping Hands”.
For the academic year 2016-17 fivebright but economicallypoor studentswere helped in
their higher studiesunder the“Helping Hands” scheme.
Thisscheme is our small tributeand a remembranceof‘Year of Mercy’ of Pope Francisas
thisscheme is self-sustaining and permanent. For “Helping Hand” newsletter about
‘Higher Education’schemevisit
www.infantjesusjogeshwari.in
go to Parish sectionand read HELPING HANDS 1 and 2
WANTED HELPING HANDS- Courtesy: Daijiworld.com
For more appeals visit – www.daijiworld.com - charity
Ashritha(10 years),H No.29185,Udupi-576213
Friday, October 28, 2016
Ashritha(10 yrs),D/o Suresh Devadiga,is a student of government school. She had
sustained fractures on both of her legs in a road accident near Brahmavara auditorium and
is admitted in KMC Manipal as in patient.
Doctors have said that Rs. 5 lacs will be required for her treatment. The parents are
earning their livelihood as daily wage workers. Therefore they are unable to raise that kind
of money and have requested for monetary help from kind hearted people.
Please remit your kind remittances to their following bank account.
Bank Account No.: 297600101002332
Name of the Account Holder: Asha
Bank: Corporation Bank, Neelavar, Kunjal 576258
Bank IFSC Code: CORP0002976
Telephone No.: 91 89716 82666, 94488 15419
Victor Melwyn D'Souza(36),2-197 Kowdoor House,Kunjalachil,Mangaluru
574151
Tuesday, November 01, 2016

20. Victor Melwyn D'Souza(36), is suffering from GBS with respiratory failure and is on
ventilator support in MICU of Father Muller Medical College hospital. His condition is critical
and will need minimum of 30 days hospital stay. Cost of his medical treatment is
approximately Rs five lacs.
He has no source of income. His brother cannot afford to spend the amount. Therefore he
is badly in need of financial help for his treatment.
Please send your kind contributions to the following bank account:
Bank Account No: 112401011003200
Name of the Account Holder: Reena D' Souza
Bank: Vijaya Bank, Konaje, Mangaluru 574199
Bank IFSC Code: VIJB0001124
Telephone No.: 8792437807, 9611098282
Published by Fr Felix Rebello
c/o Infant Jesus Church, Jogeshwari
Mob. 9819688630, Email:frfelixrebello@gmail.com, gemenewsletter@gmail.com
website: www.infantjesusjogeshwari.in
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