Dinesh Kamath's news 'SEED draws thousands of students at NMMC’s Fruits, Plants & Vegetable Expo' that was published in Newsband

SEED draws thousands of students at NMMC’s Fruits, Plants & Vegetable Expo

By Dinesh Kamath

(Above) Picture:- Plants, Children performing before packed audience. Inset:- Dr. Sanjeev Naik, M.P, Mr. Ashok Gawde, Deputy Mayor, NMMC & Dr. Jayakar Ellis at the launch of the SEED imitative by Heart Foundation.

NERUL: The NMMC’s 8th Fruits, Plants, Vegetables & Flower Exhibition from 7th to 9th February 2014 at Wonders Park, Nerul, Navi Mumbai came to an end with over five thousand School Children participating through the three days, thanks to the efforts by HEART Foundation with its Environmental initiative called ‘SEED’ (Save Earth from Eternal Damage).

“Workshops & lectures were given by Horticulture experts on propagation of plants, Kitchen Garden, Terrace Garden & Identification of plant which were attended  by children from many schools like Fr. Agnels High School, Vashi, Sacred Heart High School, Vashi, St. Lawrence High School, Vashi, Ryan International School, Sanpada, MGM High School, Nerul, St Augustine High School, Nerul, St. Xaviers High School, Nerul, Presentation High School, Seawoods, Don Bosco High School, Seawoods, Terena Vidyalaya, Nerul, Apeejay School, Nerul, Christ the King School, Good Shepherd School, CBD Belapur, Nutan Vidya Mandir, Mankhurd. Some of the above schools showcased their talents by performing dramas and dances based on the theme ‘SEED’ and Environment on the final prize distribution day. We also had competitions for them wherein they enjoyed and were given prizes,” said Dr. Jayakar Ellis, President of Heart Foundation (HF) and the co-organizer of the event. “At SEED we hope to educate the children, youth and all the members of the community to take up Sowing a Seed very seriously.” He added.

Talking to Mr. Chandrakant Tayade, Dy. Manager, NMMC, he said, “This exhibition has been so far the best as we had over ten thousand walk ins on an average. We had 250 exhibitors and we gave away prizes in 24 groups. Two hundred prizes were awarded in different classes.  We are so happy to be associated with the work Dr Jayakar Ellis and the SEED initiative through his foundation especially in the field of environment.”

“I am so glad to see that our efforts have paid off in terms of the Go Green initiative of the NMMC as the response for this exhibition has been tremendous. I humbly appeal to the people of Navi Mumbai to join hands with us to plant more trees and make this place much better. It is also worth mentioning that our city was declared an Eco City by TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute), world renowned institute,” said Dr. Sanjeev Naik, Member of Parliament and Chief Guest at the prize distribution ceremony.

The judging of the various competitions at the exhibition was done under the able guidance of Mr. V A Rode, a gold medalist awarded by the MP government.