As part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations, the Eco Club of DCT’s Vasantrao Dempo HSS of Arts, Science and Commerce, Cujira, organized an environment-based programme on 23rd August 2025, featuring competitions and expert talks to promote awareness about the ecological and medicinal importance of plants.
The programme commenced with the formal function at 9:30 a.m. in the Audio-Visual Room. Principal Mrs. Maya Sardessai warmly welcomed the gathering and the distinguished speakers. The introduction of the speakers and Guest of Honour, Mr. Manoj Ibrampurkar, was done by Eco Club in-charge, Mrs. Edna da Costa. The event was compered by Ms. Vanaja Muduliar.
The first session was delivered by Mr. Paresh Porob, Assistant Conservator of Forests and Zoo Manager, who spoke on “Wild Encounters”. He highlighted his extensive experiences in wildlife conservation and stressed the urgent need to protect vanishing species. This was followed by three competitions and parallel to this a talk by Prof. Bhushan Bhave, Principal of Vidya Prabodhini College of Commerce, Education, Computer and Management, Porvorim-Goa, who presented on the “Ecological Significance of Matoli”, linking cultural traditions with ecological balance.
Three competitions were held:
1. Healing from Roots to Fruits (Intra-School Competition)- 28 students participated.
Results:
1st Place – Miss Vedhika Damaonkar (XII B Arts)
2nd Place – Miss Sanjana Kavlekar (XII D Commerce)
3rd Place – Miss Valanka Vaz (XI D Commerce)
Judges: Dr. Maryanne Lobo and Dr. Ashish Prabhugaonkar
2. From Plant to Plate (Staff Competition)- 18 staff members participated by preparing healthy dishes with medicinal benefits.
Results:
1st Place – Mrs. Supriya Angle
2nd Place – Mrs. Siddhi Naik
3rd Place – Mrs. Antima Satarkar
Judges: Mr. Padmash Pingulkar and Mr. Andrew Felix Vieira
3. Roots of the Past (Inter-School Competition)- 8 schools from Panaji participated, displaying plant specimens and highlighting conservation measures.
Results:
1st Place – The Rosary High School, Cujira
2nd Place – Auxilium High School, Caranzalem
3rd Place – Mustifund High School, Cujira
Judges: Mrs. Rekha Gurrala and Mrs. Vijayalakshmi Bhat
Participation certificates were awarded to all remaining schools.
The programme concluded with the prize distribution ceremony, where winners were felicitated and participants appreciated for their efforts. The Eco Club successfully combined creativity, knowledge, and awareness, inspiring all to value and conserve the environment.
Teacher in-charge was Mrs. Maria Edna DaCosta.
Below is the link of Press Interview: