Review of plants (2018-2019: S: 2) on the De Nobili College Football Ground

Promoting an eco-loving atmosphere, planting shady trees was one of the priorities of this year. As part of making this venture, the DNC ground was given to a Philosophy Living Group [SHIP] under the leadership of Schs. P.Arockiasamy SJ and Deepak Jans SJ, and guidance of Fr. Paul Raj SJ. Though there were some saplings planted in the academic year 2016-18, this year also had some unique experiences and mode of caring for.

A line of karanj, Gulmohar and tamarind saplings has been planted along the sides of the ground. Watering facilities were also provided especially in the centre of the ground which divides the ground into two halves. Taking care of the plants was shared among a living group and the gatekeeper. Due to the development works especially the enlargement of the ground, many saplings were stepped upon. For the protection of the remaining saplings, Fr. Jacob K, the Minister of DNC bought tree guard mesh to keep around them. The saplings may survive this year since there is watering facilities twice a week, fence and monitoring by the person in-charge. It is a meaningful experience to plant trees, care for them and imbibe some insights of befriending and being stewards of nature.

Review of plants (2018-2019: S: 1) on the Manresa Lawns

Manresa Lawns is one part of the De Nobili College Campus, popularly known for its rocky, and thorny bushes. Practically, every year brothers plant some trees and take care of them. This year, the plot was assigned to a living group from Philosophy namely Agere Contra, under the leadership of Sch. Paul Micky SJ and guidance of Fr. Arjen Tete SJ on 25^th of June 2018. Until then it was under the Srishtimitra ministry group which planted twenty four trees on 23^rd of June 2018. Since it was rocky ground, pits were already dug by the JCB in the previous years. Thus it was preferable to plant trees before the rain.

Today, as we review back the Manresa Lawns, it is a moment of joy and contentment. The group has spent selfless service to care for the plants namely Karanj and Mangoes. They have also filled more mud, leaves and manure whenever it was necessary. The group has tried to keep up fourteen plants. We hope that these trees may grow and next academic year (2019-2020) more trees can be planted to make Manresa Lawns a shady and birds and animal friendly environment.

Reconciliation with Creation at DNC, Pune

We, in De Nobili College, Pune, along with DNC Tarumitra( nowSrishtimitra) team, are exploring ways to live our intimate link with Mother Earth. “Clean and Green is DNC’s Dream” is our motto for this year (2016-2017) and we try to realize it in every activity.

Reconciliation of Spirit with Nature: We celebrated the Eucharist on an altar set before Pope Francis Herbal Garden on the anniversary of the encyclical, ‘Laudato Si’. The theme for one day of the novena of St. Ignatius was ‘Ignatius and Ecology’. We began with the liturgy in the bosom of Mother Earth and ended with the evening prayer- a deep experience of finding God in all things. We prayed for Creation with the orthodox tradition and Pope Francis on 01 September, the “Creation Day”. We now realize that our spirituality is a spirituality of soil and mud.

Reconciliation of Labour with Nature: Christ is not just a cosmic person but a cosmic tree (John 15). We all planted saplings on Vanmahotsav Day in August, with a great downpour blessing us! We realized that soiling our hands was a way of reconciling our labour with Creation. We nurture ‘our’ trees like a new born in a family, with regular audit of their growth. Pope Francis Herbal Garden, with sixty plus varieties of rare medicinal plants, is a monumental effort of the team. Going organic in agriculture is gathering momentum, under the leadership of our Minister, Fr. Jacob K.

Reconciliation of Lifestyle with Nature: How shall we leave the earth to those coming after us? Think of all the waster we generate each day! We now segregate the waste at the source. Our rooms and corridors have two dust bins, for bio-degradable and non-biodegradable waste; the latter is disposed off as per norms, while biodegradable and kitchen waste are transformed into Vermicompost, a wealth for our organic farming. All the waste water in the campus is recycled in a three-stage ecological purification process with the help of some rare plants.

Reconciliation of World to Nature: The DNC Tarumitra( nowSrishtimitra) members have set up eco clubs in Pune schools. Children’s enthusiasm is an inspiration and a boost for us. We suggest to them a yearly planner of eco activities. We promote ‘Nature Walk’ for students in our campus. They learn to serve Mother Earth. Eco noticeboards at DNC remind us to involve more in eco action than eco talk.

Sch. Nikhil George, SJ (KER)

Source:

George, Nikhil. “Reconciliation with Creation at DNC, Pune.” JIVAN: News and Views of Jesuits in India (January 2017): 31.