Planting Hope, Growing Futures: Tree Plantation Drive Held at St. Anthony’s, Kanjia, Jharkhand

Kanjia, Garwha District, Jharkhand — 19 July 2025: Nearly 300 kilometres from Ranchi, the state capital, the campus of St. Anthony English Medium School in Kanjia, Daltonganj, was filled with joy and purpose as students, teachers, and clergy came together for a vibrant tree plantation drive. The event was part of the Diocese of Daltonganj’s ongoing ecological mission.

On a bright and cheerful morning, 180 students—some as young as four years old—alongside eight teachers, priests, and seminarians, actively took part in planting 250 fruit-bearing saplings. The trees, including mango, chikoo, litchi, and avocado, were generously donated by benefactors and friends from Germany who support sustainable fruit cultivation across India.

The programme began with a solemn moment of prayer and blessing, invoking divine grace upon the land, the saplings, and the hands that planted them. The young students displayed remarkable enthusiasm and care as they joyfully planted the trees, each contributing to a greener future.

The event was graced by Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas SFX, who addressed the gathering with a message of ecological responsibility. In his speech, the Bishop underscored the deeper significance of planting trees, calling each sapling a "symbol of hope," a legacy for future generations, and a silent act of love towards the Earth. He reminded everyone that trees not only bear fruit and provide shade but also purify the air, conserve water, and maintain ecological balance. He urged the children to grow into stewards of creation and to assume personal responsibility for protecting nature.

The day’s programme opened with a delightful welcome song performed by the students. Fr. Walter Hembrom expressed heartfelt gratitude to Bishop Theodore and the German benefactors for their generous contribution and continued support.

Other dignitaries present at the event included Fr. Attley Gomes SFX, Fr. Juel Kujur, Fr. Xavier Kandulna, and seminarians Vicky, Kelwin, Simpliyus, Suhel, Manish, Innocent, Siril, and Ajay.

The event concluded on a high note, reflecting a deep sense of shared responsibility, community spirit, and a commitment to nurturing both nature and the next generation.

By Diocese of Daltonganj

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