Van Mahotsav Celebration @MIT VGS Kothrud
Van Mahotsav, a week-long tree planting festival was celebrated at MAEER’S MIT Vishwashanti Gurukul School, Kothrud from 4th to 9th July 2022. This movement was initiated in 1950 by the Indian Union Minister for Agriculture, Dr. K. M. Munshi. The celebration of Van Mahotsav is an ideal opportunity to instill personal and social responsibilities in the students towards safeguarding trees and forests. The focus of this celebration is on forming a personal connection between students and trees through a process, experience, reflection, and creation.
The activities were conducted with gusto and enthusiasm. The students pledged to plant more trees for a better tomorrow. The curiosity to learn and the will to create a change were seen in the efforts of the students. They also learned that ‘Van Mahotsav’ is celebrated at the onset of the monsoon season because the saplings planted during this period have a greater chance of survival. For grades I – III a vegetable printing activity was organized to let the kids prepare a masterpiece using vegetables, for the students of grades IV-VI a poster making competition was conducted which showcased their creativity, thoughts, concern, and feelings about living green and saving trees. The students of grades VII and VIII came out with diverse slogans that covered a range of climate change and environmental issues.
In grades IX and X, the students prepared a street play as a part of an inter-house competition. The Nukkad Natak showcased several problems and issues that were caused due to deforestation, pollution, and modernization of agriculture. They also spread awareness of the role played by the trees in balancing the ecosystem and biosphere as a whole.
There was frolic, laughter and cheerful faces as everyone was involved in the activity throughout the week. The saplings planted today will serve as a beautiful memory left behind by the students. The students were also encouraged to do a few activities along with their parents and family members at home like taking care of small potted plants, making a collage using dried flowers, growing plants in waste plastic containers, rainwater harvesting and making best out of waste.
