Van Mahotsav Celebrated at St. Stephen’s - Togan

Van Mahotsav was celebrated at St. Stephen's School, Togan.

The function began with the two school prayers led by Nirbhay and Abhishek. The Principal, Mr Ranjeet K S Chawla, addressed the assembly and welcomed Mr Ishwar Singh, the chief guest. Mrs Rekha Sharma who teaches Environment Studies at SSS-Togan talked about the importance of planting trees and of preserving them.

Children sang a patriotic song "Sare Jahan Se Achha, Hidustan Hamara". They also presented a skit highlighting the importance of trees. The skit was enjoyed and appreciated by all.

Mr Ishwar Singh then spoke to the gathering. His speech ended with a question and answer session. Students asked him all sorts of questions related to environment.

In Mr. Sing's own words, "wherever space is available, we should plant as many trees as possible. Pleople criticise one variety of trees or the other, but let me tell you, no tree is bad in itself. It is basically the site selection which makes a particular tree good or bad. So the problem lies with the planners not with the trees.

Even the Eucalyptus tree which is criticised by the so called pseudo-environmentalists and many educationists also, is one of the most wonderful trees. The most useful tree, I must say, as a forest officer. But again, it makes the tree bad if it is planted at a wrong place.... A particular variety of tree may be excellent for one location but it may be worst for another location.

The basic issues that are to be tackled are
1. Increase of the forest cover that can be attained by planting more and more trees
2. The availability of water is decreasing in all states including Chandigarh, although the arte may be a bit slower. The underground water table is going down. We have to harvest as much rain water as we can.

Some saplings were planted in the school premises.

Mr Iswar Singh in the Principal's office at Togan

Mr Chawla escorting Mr Ishwar Singh to the Assembly area



Nirbhay leading the first prayer

Abhishek leading the second prayer



Mr Chawla addressing the assembly


The co-ordinators and teachers of SSS-Togan



Children singing a patriotic song


Children presenting a skit


Mr Ishwar Singh



Ankita Goraya, one of the school captains at SSS-45

Mr Singh explains the technique of planting a sapling


The girls trying their hand at physical labour



The captains of SSS-Togan