Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh holds Mass Cleanliness Drive
Udupi: On the occasion of the Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Catholic Sabha of Udupi Diocese Organized a collective health and cleanliness drive in all the 54 parishes on 2 October 2019. This drive was in response to ‘LAUDATO SI’, the Encyclical issued by Pope Francis regarding the environmental issues and the call given by Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India for the protection of the environment and to spread awareness on cleanliness.
Alwyn Quadros President of the Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh flagged off the drive in front of the Goretti Hospital.
Speaking on this occasion, Alwyn Quadros President of Udupi Pradesh Catholic Sabha said that for good health a clean environment is important and it is the duty of every citizen to keep the environment clean and healthy. People should not throw the garbage that is produced in their homes on the roadside or gutters but use bins kept separately for the purpose. This would enable us to have a litter-free environment.
Indiscriminate use of plastic in daily life has been one of the main reasons for the degradation of the environment. With effect from 2 October, the use of plastic has been prohibited in Udupi District and everyone should observe this in the interest of environmental protection. Udupi Diocese will wholeheartedly support this move and promote a clean environment for healthy living. Health being of prime importance it is not enough to have the cleanliness drive for a day, but should be an endeavour that would protect and preserve the environment consistently.
Fr Ferdinand Gonsalves, Spiritual Director of the Catholic Sabha, Udupi Diocese, Santosh Cornelio, Secretary of the Catholic Sabha Udupi Diocese, Flavian D’Souza, Convener of the Cleanliness Drive, former presidents Valerian Fernandes and Walter Cyril Pinto, Dr Gerald Pinto and others were present for the programme.
Different units of the Catholic Sabha in various parishes along with the women’s and youth organizations, Lions Clubs as well as Rotary Clubs, self-help groups, local youth associations and other organizations participated in the cleanliness drive.
On this occasion, volunteers cleared areas surrounding the railway station, public roads and public hospitals by picking up plastic and other waste.