46

3. Green Initiatives

“Greener future for survival “

Green Campus The College blanketed with unparalleled greenery is a testimony of its relentless and

unflinching commitment towards a Green Campus. Environmental initiatives form an

intrinsic part of the life and ethos of the college. The college nestles in the lap of greenery

replete with lawns, ornamental and fruit trees, and organic farming initiatives. The green

campus of the college is an exemplary model and an exhortation to the community as well as

the stakeholders to reconnect with nature. The bounty of nature in the campus is an

endeavour to extend learning beyond lectures to develop responsible attitudes and

commitment to the environment, at college, home and in the community.

47

Green initiatives: Connecting with Nature

Green initiatives or eco-friendly activities constitute the intrinsic part of the beliefs and ethos

of the college. Reverence to the environment is the quintessence of the motto of the college,

“For God and Country”. The stakeholders of the institution evolve time bound ecological

strategies to actualise a green campus and a sustainable community. These initiatives are

incorporated into institutional planning, budgeting processes and academic strategic plan.

These novel schemes enable the institution to redefine its environmental prospects and

envision new paradigms for a sustainable future by catering to the environmental, social and

economic needs of the community.

1. Organic Farming

With the aim of promoting local, small-scale vegetation, the department of Botany

spearheaded vegetable cultivation in the college premises. The main objective is to

distribute pesticide free vegetables and motivate the students towards kitchen gardening

where one could grow their favourite fruits, vegetables and herbs. The cultivation of winter

crops like Cabbage and Cauliflower is on November and it is harvested in the last week of

December. The cultivation of monsoon vegetables starts in June.

48

2. “MannariyanManassariyan” - The Paddy Cultivation Project

Human beings relationship with nature is inevitable. As rightly stated in The Bible, we

are created from soil and we shall go back to soil. This bondage with nature has continued

since the origin of humankind. Our MannariyanManasariyan Project is an attempt to

reconnect with nature, renew our bondage with agricultural practice, and thereby

reinvigorate the traditional healthy practices, which would thwart the natural calamities

and the health issues confronted in the modern era.The project commenced by endorsing

the World Social Work Day theme of the year 2017,“Promoting Community and

Environmental Sustainability”. The commendable journey back to the nature began with

„Vithayutsavam‟, the sowing phase, in collaboration withKerala Agricultural

Department, on World environment Day, 5th

June 2017. Sri P T Thomas, MLA,

inaugurated the programme by sowing the seeds in the paddy field and planting saplings

as well.The programme was presided by Rev. Fr. Jacob G Palackapilly, the Manager of

the college, Ms. Geetha, Agricultural officer, Dr.Aype Thomas, the Principal of the

college, Rev. Fr. BintoKillukkan, the Assistant Manager of the college, Faculty members,

students and the NCC unit of the college. Later the students dressed in traditional

agricultural wear sowed by singing folk songs that enlivened the sessions.

49

50

51

52

PattumKoythum: The Harvest Festival

The harvesting phase of the upland paddy cultivation, ‘Shreyas’ was imminent by

the month of October. The crop garnering was scheduled on 17th October 2017.

The project created a widespread recognition for the college as well as a massive

impact upon the community. The harvest was a successful and colourful event

that etched a beautiful memory in the history of Bharata Mata College. The

koythu Festival gained momentum with the live Folk Music Performance by the

‘OORALIS’ Band. The college students revelled in the music and paddy harvest

heartily. The invited guests and students were served with traditional delicacies

like Tapioca, chutney and black coffee that reinvigorated the typical food practice

of the Kerala Farmers.

53

The programme was remarkable with the graceful presence of distinguished guests: His

Excellency Mar. Sebastian Adayanthrath (Auxilliary Bishop, Ernakulam – Angamaly Arch

Diocese), Rtd. Justice CyriacJoesph, Fr. Varghese Kalaparambath (Founder Director of

Department of MSW), His Excellency Bishop Thomas Chakkiyath, His Excellency Bishop

Jose Puthenveettil, Ms. K. K. Neenu (Chairperson, Thrikkakara Municipality), Mr. Dileep

Kumar (Former Vice Chancellor of Sri Shankara University of Sanskrit), Ms. Jessy Peter

(Chairperson, Kalamassery Municipality), Ms. EeshaPriya IAS (Sub. Collector, Ernakulam),

Rev. Fr. Paul Cherupilly (Director, Welfare Services Ernakulam), Mr. Varghese M.D (GM

Administration, Cochin Shipyard), Mr. P. G Prageesh (Chief, Corporate Communications,

Air India Express), Ms. Vijaya M.K (Kudumbashree District Mission, Ernakulam) and Ms.

Geetha (Agricultural Officer, Thrikkakara). His Excellency Mar Sebastian

Adayanthrathofficially inaugurated the paddy harvest festival and all the invited guests

participated in harvesting.

54

55

It is with immense pleasure we stand together as BMC family to

state that we sowed the seeds and we harvested with great pride.

56

3. Corn cultivation

The environmental practices of the college are known for its novelty and practicability,

and for the great impact these initiatives have upon the community. The students of

Bharata Mata College under the leadership of MSW department planted corn in about 40

cents of land inside the college in 2018 . The harvesting festival became vibrant with the

presence of the Malayalam film actors Sunny Wayne and Jacob Gregory. The

programme was conducted under the gracious guidance of Rev. Fr. Jacob Chakkiyath,

Rev. Fr. Jacob G.Palackappilly, Manager of the college, Rev. Fr. BintoKilukkan,

Assistant Manager, Dr.Shiny Palaty, Principal of the college, Dr. M.C Dileep Kumar,

Former Vice Chancellor and Dr Sheena RajanPhilp(HoD, MSW Department). The corn

was cooked and served to everyone present in the function.

57

58

4. Nurturing Nature

The institution and its stakeholders engender an unremitting pursuit in slackening the reckless

exploitation of nature by replenishing the lost flora and greenery. The primary objective as

propounded in the environmental culture of the college is to awaken the youth to initialise the

preservation of Mother Earth. The aim is to enlighten the society which overlook the fact that

in uprooting a tree, we are uprooting ourselves and destabilising the entire ecosystem of

which human beings are an insignificant part. With an aim to spread this urgent realisation,

the institution promotes planting of trees that is crucial for the survival of the living species

and the planet. The institution and its stakeholders shoulder the responsibility of saving the

beauty, bliss and bounty of nature to future generations, uncontaminated, undiminished,

unexhausted and undamaged.

59

Environmental day observed by the Post Graduate Department of English by planting

fruit trees in the college campus.

60

Planting Fruit trees in the campus: June 2017

61

5. Bird House and Bird Baths (Killikkotta)

Human beings are the sole species endowed with critical faculties and reasoning power, and

with this power rest greater responsibilities of protecting the fellow species and living things.

The institution endorses this concept of the ethical responsibility of humans to protect the

Earth’s biota by undertaking various activities, one of which is providing Bird Houses and

Bird Baths. This helps to inculcate in students the precept that the humans evolved within a

world of nature should cultivate an appreciation and empathy for the other components of the

nature. Protecting and nurturing the species within the natural habitat is the most effective

practice of sustaining them. In the wake of increased heat and scarcity of water and

nourishments, the students under the aegis of the college set up Bird Baths at various spots in

the campus. Bird Houseis a noble venture of the college that set asides a plot for fruit

orchard, the fruits of which is for the consumption of birds only. The idea was evolved with

an aim of providing an environment friendly area for birds to build their nests and find their

food. These practices testimony the holistic perspective disseminated across the community

and the students that subsequently produces a healthy, stable living world.

62

63

64

65

66

6. Kathir 2017

The students of the college under the aegis of MSW department organized an agricultural

event, KATHIR on 17th

of August 2018 to promulgate the relevance of Chingam1, which

marks the day of harvest and prosperity for Keralites. The students organised this programme

in collaboration with the agricultural department. Mr. Joy. K.G (An award winning Kerala

Organic farmer) was the chief speaker of this programme. Fr. BintoKilukkan, the Assistant

Manager of the college, delivered the presidential address. All the invited participants were

distributed with a packet of vegetable seeds. The ‘Kathir’ programme concluded with an

agricultural equipment exhibition and exploration of the Upland Paddy cultivation of Bharata

Mata College. The students from the neighbouring schools too were invited.

67