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Udupi, Jul 3: Catholic Sabha of Udupi diocese organised ‘clean environment drive’ in association with other pro-social organizations here on Sunday July 1. Diocese level cleaning drive was launched at St John Church Shankarpura by Fr Ferdenand Gonsalves, spiritual director of Catholic Sabha, Udupi region by planting a sapling and picking up garbage on the road.

Former president of Catholic Sabha Udupi region, L Roy Kiran Crasta delivering the keynote address said, “Sound and clean environment is necessary to keep ourselves healthy and it is our also social commitment. In this regard, Catholic Sabha has been organizing social awareness programmes since many years. This cleanliness drive was organized in 50 churches of Udupi diocese simultaneously.”
Catholic Sabha Udupi region president Alwyn Quadres also spoke on the occasion.

Chandra Pooajry, president, Rotary Club Shankarpur, Victor Mendonsa, vice-president, Catholic Sabha Pangala unit, Malini Shetty, president, Rotaract club Subasnagar, Aron D’Souza, president, ICYM, Markwaz, vice-president, Church parenting committee were present.

As part of cleanliness drive, there were different programmes held in 50 churches like workshop on environment protection, awareness campaign, cleaning programme, distribution of saplings and vanamahotsava.

On the same day, Fr Dennis D’sa, parish priest of Our Lady of Health Church launched the drive by distributing the saplings at the church premises. The campaign was organized by Catholic Sabha, Shirva unit in collaboration with Lions Club Shirva-Manchakal, Social Development commission, Health commission ICYM Shirva and Shirva gram panchayat.

Fr Dennis D’sa addressing the programme said, “Keeping our surrounding clean is our duty. Awareness must be created among public on cleanliness. If citizens, NGOs, institutions join their hands together in this drive, we can build a beautiful as well as clean environment’.

Fr Maxim D’Souza, convenor of Don-Bosco educational institutions, Kundapur Thrasi, Fr Mahesh D’Souza, principal, Shirva Don-Bosco English medium school, Wilson Rodrigues, zilla panchayat member Shirva, Melwin Aranha, convenor, church commission, Leena Machado, secretary, church parish pastoral council, Zerome Mathias, president, Lions Club, Shirva Manchakal, Julian Rodrigues, former president, and members of parish pastoral council Shirva unit participated in the drive.