gem

1. E-Newsletter-7/15
Green Earth Movement
An E-Newsletter for the cause of Environment, Peace, Harmony and Justice
Remember - “you and I can decide the future”
India flaunts world's biggest solar power plant
in Tamil Nadu
Courtesy: Indiatoday
Tamil Nadu's Kamuthi solar power plant is the largest solar power plant at
a single location and has cost Rs 46,535,570,550.
After images of Tamil Nadu's Kamuthi solar power plant were unveiled, India could
flaunt having the world's largest solar power plant at a single location. The plant has
a capacity of 648 MW and covers an area of 10 sqm/km beating California's Topaz
Solar Farm which had a capacity of 550MW. Not only that, our country is expected
to become the world's third-biggest solar market from next year onwards.
Built within eight months, a robotic system is used to clean it everyday and is
capable of producing electricity for 1,50,000 homes. The project was funded by
the Adani group and cost Rs 46,535,570,550 ($679 million). This project which
comprises of 2.5 million individual solar modules has helped India join the league of
countries which have installed total solar capacity across the 10 GW mark.
India aims big and intends to power 60 million homes by the sun by 2022. The
government aims to produce 40 percent of its power form non-fossil fuels by 2030.

2. GREEN is IN
Vibha Singh, TOI
Why move towards greener pastures located outside the city when you couldcreate some within
the confines of your own apartment? Meet a few environmentally-conscious citizens who are
painting their homes green...
How would you feel if every morning when you wake up and open the windows of your room, you are
greeted by a massive green cover, amidst which the sun slowly rises and brings in its positive rays of hope
into your abode? Wouldn't that be just the perfect way to begin your day? In a city gasping for a breath of
fresh air and numerous complaints of dwindling greens due to the in creasing construction activity, there
are a few places like the Hanging Garden, Nirvana Park, Balodyan Garden, which provide the common
man with an opportunity to leave behind the space-crunched brick and mortar house and take a walk in
places laden with greenery. But this luxury is not available to everyone. Many individuals and NGOs have
taken it up as a challenge and with small efforts, they are ensuring a greener surrounding.
DR S S BHANDARE, senior citizen, Chembur Naka
She nourishes every tree and plant in her bungalow just like her own children. She has created a landscape
by combining the ele ments of plants, shrubs, trees, flowers, buildings and garden decor, stone and rocks.
The huge trees in her garden provide the much needed oxygen to many neighbouring houses. The unique
part of the garden is that she has recycled most of the goods of her home to add to the beauty of the
garden that includes broken photo frames, retches, multipurpose holders, old clothes, laces, old sarees and
a lot more. “For the last twenty years, my garden has been proving to be beneficial to the environment in
general, as I get fresh air in the morning and I cherish to see butterflies on my plants. It is an amazing
feeling to see birds make nests in the garden as well.“
RAJNI AND KIRAN SHARMA, sisters-in-law, Diamond Garden, Chembur
The Sharmas' garden is a spot wherein they indulge in growing organic vegetables. The family's
experience in kitchen gardening came in handy and she started growing veggies on her own terrace. These
are ready-tobe plucked too. The 250 sq ft terrace garden focuses on organic farming and both of them
even get nature lovers to their house who take a cue from them on farming.“One can easily grow basic
vegetables such as cauliflower, brinjal, tomatoes on their terraces.People today are a lot more aware about
organic farming and the need for organic vegetables for one's well-being,“ said Rajni.
SMITA D SHIRODKAR, director, Earthoholics, Bhandup
She has built a beautiful terrarium garden in her balcony and her rooms have become a point of attraction
for everyone. It was a simple google search on `city farming' that ignited in her the idea of growing
vegetables and fruits on the window grills. She has been planting saplings in every random item she could
find handy an old unused bowl, an empty fish tank, water bottles or old glass jars like jam bottles; etc.
“Terrariums instantly beautify your house and also fulfil your love for plants and all you need is a
small space.They can be open or closed.Closed terrariums do not need watering and are infact mini eco-
systems in themselves.“ The process is very simple you need a tray or a container of atleast twothree

3. inches deep. Any container that holds the soil together and can wash out excess water can be your planter
old drawers, takeaway food containers, used soda bottles, egg cartons, etc. Drill holes into the bottom of
the container in order to drain the excess water. Fill it with soil and scatter the seeds and then gently cover
them with soil. Seeds like methi, coriander, mustard, radish, etc, can be put as well. Water thoroughly and
ensure that the soil is moist at all times. Protect the tray from birds by using a mesh cover or by hanging
CDs as reflectors. After two-three days, the seeds will start to germinate. Partial sunlight or even a few
hours of sunlight is good enough for the greens to grow well in your home.
NIKHIL DESAI, civic activist, Matunga
The other good use of a huge space has been made by the residents of Matunga who have developed a
garden under the Tulpule flyover. Desai was instrumental in getting the plan implemented with the help of
BMC. It is an initiative by the NGO One Matunga, which has transformed the empty space into a lush
pathway for commuters. The garden is named Nanalal D Mehta garden and is now being used as a
thoroughfare by pedestri ans and has a 600-metre jogging track that comes to life at night with glittering
lights. The pathway meanders like the Narmada River and replicates the Narmada Ghat, which has
become a seating area for the public. Desai says, “We used to get complaints of encroachment by taxi
drivers and hawkers. Today, I believe this is the only encroachment-free flyover in Mumbai. And you can
see children skating here as well.“
Fishing community protests move to
industrialise coastal areas
Press Trust of India | New Delhi November 21, 2016
A national body for fishworkers held a protest here today against the Centre's "large-scale
industrialisation proposal" in coastal areas, alleging the move will not only "hurt" them but will
also "destroy" the country's vulnerable coastline. "NDA government is trying to fool the coastal
people by proposing unviable projects. And 'Sagarmala' will effectively promote real estate
projects," the National Fishworkers' Forum alleged.
Sagarmala project is a strategic and customer-oriented initiative of the Centre to modernise
ports so that port-led development can be augmented and coastlines can be developed. Scores of
representatives of fishing bodies from Maharashtra, Puducherry, and fishworkers from Tamil
Nadu, Kerala and other coastal states, also took part in the protest meet at the Jantar Mantar,
called by the NFF, and it was addressed by three MPs from Kerala.
Congress MP from Alappuzha, K C Venugopal, said, "Our party stands in solidarity with the
fishing community, inside and outside of Parliament. And, we totally support this agitation for
your rights." "I have raised the issue of fishermen in Parliament earlier also. And, (Vice
President) Rahul Gandhiji and (President) Soniaji have always stood for your rights, and we are
with the fishing community," he said.
The community has also demanded that a separate ministry be constituted for fishery in the
central government and that the Sagarmala project be withdrawn. NFF Chairperson M Ilango
and its Secretary T Peter later led a brief protest march, but the crowd was restricted by police at
the end of the Jantar Mantar Road. "'Sagarmala' needs serious national assessment, from its
different complexities. The industrial corridors, the economic corridors, smart cities, coastal
investment regions like PCPIR (Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemical Investment Region)
and Sagarmala are all part of the larger plan for industrialisation, which will destroy India's
vulnerable coastline," the NFF has alleged.
CPI-M leader and Attingal MP from Kerala, A Sampath, said, "This was a fight for the nation,

4. and protecting our seas and rivers, and a fight for sovereignty and a fight against the crorepatis
and multi and tran-national companies, who should not take away your seas and rivers." The
NFF leaders also alleged that the NDA government's demonetisation move, under the pretext of
curtailing black money, is "hurting the fishing community" across the country - other than many
formal and informal production sectors. The NFF also alleged that various projects were being
made to "benefit private players" in port business.
"We demand that the viability studies be made public and the local community consent be made
mandatory before going ahead with these unviable projects. Immediate cessation of all
construction related activities must be done," the NFF said.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a
syndicated feed.)
SCC ECO KIDS PROJECT FOR THE MONTH OF
DECEMBER:
Courtesy: Monthly feedback report
The December project for the ECO KIDS of was the Area Cleanliness Drive which was held on
11th Dec. from 2 to 4.30 pm. Kids were well prepared for the same. To begin with, each kid was
given a set of hand gloves and face masks. We formed four groups of 5 kids in each. Brooms and
carry bags were distributed to each team. The kids were sent to different areas like Meghwadi
near Apna Bank, Janashakti Maidan, Thakur Road, Prem Nagar opposite Janshakti police
station etc. Each team of kids divided the work amongst themselves, some to sweep, some to
hold carry bags, some to collect waste etc. During the cleanliness drive we were touched with the
response of the onlookers and residents.
They praised kids, some took photographs and even posted these photographs in the face book,
shopkeepers sponsored chocolates, policemen thanked kids and few of the onlookers even joined
with kids in cleaning their area. During the drive, kids distributed pamphlets on ‘Eco-friendly
living’ to the onlookers and shopkeepers. Overall, it was a challenging project.
Cleanliness in our surroundings is important to make our environment healthy for the present
and future generations, and keep our Mother Earth happy.
Report by Cynthia Correa, Eco Kids' Animator, SCC 14.
Note: If you want to start well structured and sustainable SCC ECO KIDS
CLUBS in your parish, visit
www.infantjesusjogeshwari.in

5. and read FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS on SCC KIDS' ECO CLUBS,
Infant Jesus Church, Jogeshwari-East, Mumbai.
Fr Felix
Green plan for state’s nationalhighways
Sunjith Mahamulkar
The 10,624 km of national highways in the state are in for a greening. The state government and
the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) have signed an MoU for afforestation
alongside the highways.
The Ministry of Road Transport has in its Green Highways Policy 2015 provided for creation of
green corridors along national highways. The policy document spells out the criteria for
plantation of trees and shrubs, taking into account visibility for traffic visibility. It states that the
parties entering an agreement should adhere to norms for planting trees on curves and the
minimum distance to be maintained.
Forest minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said the state government had taken up tree plantation
along national highways as a mission.“There is only one planet in the universe where life
exists.Human life exists only because of trees,“ said minister. Among the trees that have been
shortlisted for plantation include neem, tamrind tree, coconut tree, bamboo, ber, custard apple
and babul.
The countrywide project envisages planting trees on 4 lakh acres along national highways in 10
years.
Mumbai: 1 lakh saplings to revive dying
mangroves
By Sanjeev Shivadekar | Posted 27-Nov-2016-midday
Tree Authority sanctions Rs 1 crore for Gorai-Manori
mangrove park project
The fast depleting mangrove cover along the city’s coastline has spurred the authorities into initiating
remedial measures. They plan to plant nearly 1 lakh saplings at the proposed 5-hectare mangrove park in
Gorai-Manori, for which the BMC’s Tree Authority cleared a proposal of Rs 1 crore at a meeting on
Friday. "The coastal green cover is important as it prevents soil erosion and acts as a natural buffer against
flooding. Aware of the crucial role of mangroves, Tree Authority members approved R1 crore for the
project," a senior civic official said.

6. The BMC will pump Rs 3 crore into the park. As construction activities are not allowed in and around
mangroves, the Tree Authority sanctioned the laying of wooden boardwalks in the mangrove park for
visitors. The plantation will be monitored and executed by a special mangrove cell, formed by the
government four years ago to preserve and rejuvenate the mangrove cover. The cell’s formation was
based on a directive from the Bombay HC in 2005 on protecting mangroves in Mumbai. The court also
told the state to declare areas with mangroves as buffer zones and restrict construction activities there.
A senior BMC official said the Gorai-Manori park will host mangrove species like rhizophora mucronata,
avicennia marina and Salvadora persica.
Why a mangrove park?
The plan for a mangrove park in Gorai-Manori was announced in 2010 to protect inland homesteads,
livestock and property near the shore. The park will have walking trails on wooden boardwalks, and offer
bird-watchers an excellent opportunity to spot migrant and resident birds through watch towers. It will
also have walkways, cycling tracks and restaurants. Mumbai’s mangroves at Thane Creek, Mahim, Gorai,
Versova, Bandra and Malabar Hill are losing out to unregulated development and encroachments.
'Easier said than done'
Environmentalists are sceptical of the efficacy of the plan to plant mangrove saplings. Stalin D, member
of city-based NGO Vanashakti, a group that fights for environmental rights, said, “Trees can be
transplanted and planted. But, this is not the case with mangroves. Mangroves occur naturally as barriers
to protect the coastline from tidal erosionand flooding. Planting mangroves and ensuring that there is
growth is really an uphill task.” He, however, welcomed the mangrove park, saying it would create more
awareness among people on the importance of mangroves in the ecosystem.
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.

7. 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
Metro III car shed: The beginning of the end of
Aarey in Mumbai?
Smruti Koppikar , Hindustan Times
In the corridors of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change in Delhi, a decision
was quietly reached at last week that will greatly impact Mumbai’s environmental future. The ministry
“excluded 1.65 square kilometre from the eco-sensitive zone” of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park and
paved the way for the construction of the train depot of the ambitious Metro III project in the Aarey
forest.

8. The 165 hectares of Aarey forest, which was eco-sensitive till last week was deemed non-eco-sensitive by
re-drawing a few lines. In the pitched and layered battle between the Maharashtra government and
environmental groups in the last two years, the former won. It is not a surprise that the union ministry
backed the Devendra Fadnavis government’s proposal for the train depot, also called the car shed, in the
Aarey forest.
What is astonishing is the sheer intransigence of all those in-charge of the Metro III project, which when
completed will run 33.5 kilometres from Colaba in south Mumbai to SEEPZ in suburban north, which
adjoins the Aarey forest area, to listen to reason about the car shed location. Environmental societies and
activists under the banner of Aarey Conservation Group (ACG) not only protested the location but have
also suggested seven alternative sites for it in the last two years.
Fadnavis has made the metro network in Mumbai, besides the ill-advised Coastal Road, his flagship
project. There are debates around the advisability of the metro grid in Mumbai with transport analysts
suggesting low-cost alternatives. But let’s accept, for a moment, that the Metro III is what the city needs.
It still does not explain why the car shed cannot be at another location.
For decades, as the green cover across Mumbai was threatened and trounced by cement and concrete,
Mumbai’s citizens believed that at least the Aarey forest was legally protected. Previous governments,
against sane advice, had allowed some construction in the forest. The Fadnavis government need not – in
fact, should not – have allowed more of it. Violations and transgressions in the past cannot be citedas
justification for doing more.
And here’s the nub: even assuming that car shed is only feasible in the Aarey forest area, why did it call
for such a large clearing of the forest? The car shed was initially ear-marked to cover 30 hectares. This
was reduced to 20.8 hectares after protests by environmental groups. But the state government ostensibly
proposed some 62 hectares and, before anyone could ask why, the union ministry okayed 165 hectares.
So, what’s going on?
Indian parish heeds pope's call to save the
environment
Ucannews
St. John De Britto Church in Quilon Diocese is no longer celebrating with
fireworks or using plastic bags
Pope Francis' call to care for the environment has inspired a parish in southern India to come
together to enact a plan to preserve and improve their environment. Cardinal Baselios Cleemis,
president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India, was so impressed he declared St. John De
Britto Church in Quilon Diocese a "green parish" on Dec. 11. The highly populated parish of
2,500 Catholic families kicked off their green movement a year ago, aiming to reduce pollution
at church functions. A major step was banning fireworks during its annual festival and on all 30
days during Rosary month in October.

9. Parish priest Father Romance Antony said that they also stopped using plastic bags and began
planting saplings in the church compound, households and public places. The parish also helped
families to plant vegetable gardens and clean ponds, lakes and the local harbor with the help of
local authorities. Father Romance said he initiated the plan after Pope Francis called for urgent
action to stop climate change. Pope Francis released the Laudato Si' encyclical in June 2015
urging all Catholics to protect the environment. He said the pope had added caring for the
environment to traditional Christian acts of mercy such as feeding the hungry and visiting the
sick.
The priest also wrote a book describing the protection of the environment as the "eleventh
commandment" and said he was "personally convinced" that if Jesus lived today he would speak
in its favor. Jacob Mary, a member of the parish, said that the green initiatives would be useful
as the majority of parishioners are fishermen. "They are focused on the sea, and have no time or
knowledge to engage in agricultural activities. They depend on markets for vegetables and fruits
but many foods are unsafe because of the pesticides and preservatives used." Jacob said. The
parish launched the green movement after successfully implementing austerity measures in
religious activities. A major initiative was the introduction of uniformity in the conduct of
ceremonies during All Souls Day.
"Parishioners used to spend huge amounts of money buying flowers to adorn tombs. The parish
now collects money from people depending on their capacity and conducts the All Souls
ceremony without extravaganza," Father Romance said. The saved money helped build a home
for a homeless man in the parish.
Over 40 hectares forest in lion's abode to be
cleared for university
Vijaysinh Parmar| TNN | Updated: Dec 2, 2016
RAJKOT: Wildlife conservationists have raised an alarm over the proposed clearing of nearly 44
hectares of lush green forest in the Asiatic lion's abode to construct Bhakt Kavi Narsinh Mehta
University (BKNMU) in Khadia village near Junagadh.
The BKNMU has issued a tender notice of Rs 7.23 lakh inviting bids to chop forest trees near the
village, located on the fringes of Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary, home to nearly 45 lions. Moreover,
Khadia is located in the eco sensitive zone notified around the sanctuary in 2013 where
construction activity is restricted.
"Farm houses, hotels, resorts and such other activities that might lead to unregulated tourism
shall be strictly cont rolled and be monitored in villages Patla, Vishal Hadmatiya, Mendpara,
Dudhala, Malida, Pasvala, Kariya, Samatpara, Patwad, Chhodwadi, Nava Naghaniya,
Mandlikpur, Bandhala, Bhalgam, Mandanpara, Toraniya and Khadia," the ESZ notification says.

10. The land on which the uni versity is proposed to be built was allotted to the fo rest department
(extension) and it has carried out plantation in 40ha area from 2007 to 2013 to improve the
biodiversity adjoining the sanctuary .
" Area earmarked for varsity is a lions' corridor critical for movement of wild animals. Moreover,
it falls under the ESZ. We had lodged our protests when government had first announced the
plan. University can be set up anywhere but not at cost of our natural heritage,'' said wildlife
conservationist Pranav Vaghashiya from Junagadh.
"The area where the university is proposed is a lions' corridor as it is close to the sanctuary.If
buildings are constructed, it will adversely affect movement of wildlife and the lions will be
forced to venture into human habitats. This will increase chances of human-wildlife conflict," R
Senthil Kumaran, DCF , Junagadh, told TOI.
According to the ESZ norms, all activities in Girnar ESZ shall be governed by provisions of the
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 and Environment Protection
Act, 1986.
The World’s Biggest Bottled Water Brand Admits:
It’s Just Tap Water
The largest botled water brand in the world, Aqualina, has finally admitted that the
water they sell is exactly the same as the tap water.
Under the pressure from Accountability International, they have changed their labels to specify P.W.S. —
Public Water Source. Despite the fact that this water is purified and filtered, it is basically the same water
from the bathroom sink and the toilet bowl.
In an interview with , Nick Colas, the ConvergEx Group chief market strategist said that: “The [bottled
water] industry grossed a total of $11.8 billion on those 9.7 billion gallons in 2012, making bottled water
about $1.22/gallon nationwide and 300x the cost of a gallon of tap water,” Colas says. “If we take into
account the fact that almost 2/3 of all bottled water sales are single 16.9oz (500 mL) bottles, though, this
cost is much, much higher: about $7.50 per gallon, according to the American Water Works Association.
That’s almost 2,000x the cost of a gallon of tap water and twice the cost of a gallon of regular gasoline.”
The trade group Beverage Marketing Association states that around half of all the bottled water sold in
America is in fact purified tap water. What’s more, most municipal tap water meets more purity standards
than bottled water. For instance, large public water supplied are asked by the EPA to test the water for
contaminants several times daily, while the FDA demands that the private bottles are tested for
contaminants only once a year, or once in 4 years. lso, you should know that the labels ”mountain water”
and “glacier water” do not mean anything, as they are not FDA standard phrases.

11. Furthermore, you can benefit a lot from filetering your water at home. You can use an efficient water
filter which will purify the water, such as the Berkey water filter system.
In this way, you will no longer need to buy bottled water, you will save a lot of money, and you will be
sure that you are drinking healthy and filtered water.
Source: livingtraditionally.com
Sweden Runs Out Of Garbage, Imports From Other
Countries
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
HIGHLIGHTS
1. Sweden forced to import rubbish to keep recycling plants running
2. Country uses renewable energy to heat homes
3. Sweden is importing garbage from countries like the UK
Sweden has run out of garbage and the Scandinavian country has been forced to import rubbish from
other countries to keep its state-of-the-art recycling plants going. Sweden, which sources almost half its
electricityfrom renewables, was one of the first countries to implement a heavy tax on fossil fuels in
1991. Sweden's recycling system is so sophisticated that only less than 1 per cent of its household waste
has been sent to landfill last year.
"Swedish people are quite keen on being out in nature and they are aware of what we need do on nature
and environmental issues. We worked on communications for a long time to make people aware not to
throw things outdoors so that we can recycle and reuse," said Anna-Carin Gripwall, director of
communications for Avfall Sverige, the Swedish Waste Management's recycling association.
Sweden has implemented a cohesive national recycling policy so that even though private companies
undertake most of the business of importing and burning waste, the energy goes into a national heating
network to heat homes through the extremely cold winter.
"That's a key reason that we have this district network, so we can make use of the heating from the waste
plants. In the southern part of Europe they don't make use of the heating from the waste, it just goes out
the chimney. Here we use it as a substitute for fossil fuel," Gripwell was quoted as saying by the
'Independent'. She termed Sweden's policy of importing waste to recycle from other countries, like the
UK, as a temporary situation.
"There's a ban on landfill in European Union countries, so instead of paying the fine they send it to us as a
service. They should and will build their own plants, to reduce their own waste, as we are working hard to
do in Sweden," Gripwall said. "Hopefully there will be less waste and the waste that has to go to

12. incineration should be incinerated in each country. But to use recycling for heating you have to have
district heating or cooling systems, so you have to build the infrastructure for that, and that takes time,"
she added.
Swedish municipalities are investing in futuristic waste collectiontechniques, like automated vacuum
systems in residential blocks, removing the need for collectiontransport, and underground container
systems that free up road space and get rid of any smells, the report said.
Japanese bishops want nuclear power abolished
worldwide
Courtesy: ucanews
They releaseda statement urging people to learn from the experience of the Fukushima disaster
The bishops' conference of Japan has issued a statement calling for the worldwide abolition of nuclear
power, five and a half years after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. The Catholic Bishops’
Conference of Japan (CBCJ) issued their statement, On the Abolition of Nuclear Power Generation: A
Call by the Catholic Church in Japan, on Nov. 11.
That same day, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and
signed an agreement that would allow Japan to export nuclear power technology to India. "We, the CBCJ,
appeal to all people who share a common home called Earth that we join hands, rise together and act in
solidarity to end nuclear power generation," the statement said.
"For that purpose, we turn first to the Catholic Church throughout the world, seeking cooperation and
solidarity. While it may be unusual for the bishops’ conference of a single country to direct a statement to
the entire world, what Japan has experienced in the five and a half years since the Fukushima disaster
convinces us that we must inform the world of the hazards of nuclear power generation and appeal for its
abolition."
The CBCJ published English, German and Korean translations of the message on its website. They also
condemned the Japanese government’s pro-nuclear stance. The bishops also published a 290-page book in
October that demonstrates the philosophical basis of their opposition. Their outreach comes soon after a
7.4-magnitude earthquake hit the same area as the 2011 meltdown on Nov. 22. It caused a tsunami as high
as two meters. A cooling system in a nuclear power plant in Fukushima was knocked out of service for
over an hour.
The 2011 Fukushima disaster was the worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl. A huge tsunami hit the
facility causing three reactors to melt down and release nuclear material. Up to 640 people could die from
radiation-related cancer, according to one study.

13. Man donates 90 houses on daughter's wedding
Mumbai, Dec 16 (DHNS): At a time when the blockbuster wedding of mining baron and former
Karnataka minister Gali Janardhana Reddy’s daughter raised eyebrows, an Aurangabad-based
businessman has donated 90 houses to the poor on the occasion of his daughter’s wedding.
The total value of the houses is estimated at Rs 1.5 crore. Ajay Munot and his daughter, Shreya,
have become an example of how one can serve the community. Their gesture has gone viral on
social media.
The Munot family, based in Lasur in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, are into agriculture and
also have a machinery business. The family was reportedly planning to spend Rs 70 to 80 lakh for
the wedding, but later decided against it. BJP MLA from Gangapur, Prashant Bamb, is a family
friend and he supported their decision. “He (Bamb) is a family friend….we were discussing what we
can do for the people and then came this idea...he supported us,” Munot said.
According to him, people give food and clothes, but it is not possible for all to donate houses. “These
are the basic necessities of life... we decided to go ahead and construct houses for the poor,” Munot
told DH.
Munot constructed a colony on two acres, with each house measuring 12x20 sqft. The colony also
gets filtered water for drinking. The Munot family selected the occupants too — the residents had to
be slum dwellers who were free from addictions. The main goal was to build 108 houses, but only 90
could be completed before the wedding. “I am very happy... everyone blessed us... this is the biggest
gift of my life,” said Shreya.
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
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”.

14. 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
Mahesh J Amin (35 years),House No.1-203,9th
cross,Subramanyanagar,Puttur,Udupi 576105
Wednesday, December 07, 2016
Mahesh J Amin(35 years),is suffering from end stage renal disease. He has been advised to
undergo renal transplantation. The approximate cost that will be incurred during the workup,
transplantation and peri transplantation period is Rs 7,70,000.
As he is too poor to bear the cost, he has requested for monetary help from kind hearted donors
and philanthropists.
Kindly remit your generous donations to his following bank account:
Bank Account No.: 00000030039174287
Name of the Account Holder: Mahesh Jayakar Amin
Bank: State Bank of India,
Post Box 10, Mythri Complex, Udupi 575101.
Bank IFSC Code: SBIN0000945
Ph No: 91 97425 07268
Rita Fernandes(45),Saripalla House,Padil post,Alape,Mangaluru
Friday, December 02, 2016
Rita Fernandes(45),is diagnosed to be suffering from Cancer. She is currently on radio iodine
therapy for it. Approximate cost of the treatment and follow up will be around Rs 3 lacs. She is not
able to pay the huge medical bills. Therefore she has requested generous people and
philanthropists to help her.
Please send your kind remittances to her following bank account:
Bank Account No.: 30212607295

15. Name of the account holder: Rita Fernandes
Bank: State Bank of India, Port Road branch, Mangaluru
Bank IFSC code: SBIN0000871
Telephone No.: 9480228139
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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