COUNTDOWN 2010

It was a day for using our creativity. A day for thinking about the world around us. A day to commemorate the Year of Biodiversity. The day a remarkable, interesting project was launched.Dr.Guhan Jayaraman, PhD, and Professor at IIT Madras, The chief guest of the event, inaugurated the “Countdown 2010 – Save Biodiversity” project on The 23rd of July.The students of 9th and 10th standard attended the program at 2:30.

Project “ Countdown 2010” is organized by the International Zoo Outreach Organisation(ZOO), an NGO that works for animal welfare. Mrs. Jessie Jayakaran, and educator with ZOO, organized the workshop. It is a full year program, part of CCE for the 9th std. Students. It helps the students learn about Biodiversity and the importance through fun projects. The program divides the students into 5 groups – World Environment Day Group (WED), Frog Group, Monkey Group, Elephant Group, Frog Drawing Group.

Shreya of class IX A and D.S.Aravind of IX-D welcomed the gathering and the program began with Dr. Guhan lighting the lamp. The students recited a short prayer after which the presentation of skits started.

The students of the WED Group presented a skit on how to save resources in our daily lives, and incorporated simple solutions like judicious usage of water, conservation of electricity and so on.

The Frog Group presented a skit on frogs-about how they help us, on how they are being exploited and solutions to this problem. The Monkey Group and Elephant Group enacted plays on animal behavior.

This was followed by a speech by Dr.Guhan who briefed us about the dire situation of our environment and conservation measures. He urged the students to opt for studying biology in senior school.

It was heartwarming to see our Dean participate with enthusiasm despite her health problems. She told us interesting tales from mythology and outlined the importance of treating animals with concern. Reshma.R of class X-D proposed the vote of thanks. The program concluded with an oath taken by the students to conserve the environment.

By Samkyuktha Srikanth
X-D