When the world
is talking about this is-m and that is-m, we at Fr Agnel College Pilar like John Lennon are saying “Give
Peace a Chance.”
Peace it is that
occupied a pivotal place at the India Peace Concert 2018 held on December 16,
2018 at the Fr Agnel College grounds. Organized in collaboration with
Dimensions (Goa & Mumbai) and the Village Panchayats of St Andre
Constituency, the second edition of the Concert was a creative attempt at restoring
“Peace with Mother Earth.”
Present at the star
studded function was Chief Guest Mr Shripad Naik, Union Minister of State
(Independent Charge) in the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy,
Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH). Guest of honour, MrAleixo Reginald
Lawrenco, Honourable MLA; also present was Fr Mathew, Provincial Superior, Goa
Province; Fr Nazareth, Central Delegate Superior of Society of Pilar; Mr.
EvancioQuadros, Chairperson Goa Dimensions and Mr Joseph Mathews, Chairperson
Mumbai Dimensions.
The Pilar hillock was
awash with soul as teenagers from the College and all over the State converged
to do their bit to save the planet. The evening festivities began with Shine On
– the Band setting the mood and tempo. Dr Allan Tavares sfx, the Convenor of
the Concert and the dreamer who dared, spelt out the theme: “We are called to
breed peace so that the trending love for power is transformed into the power
of love.” He cited Scriptures on Peace, elaborated on the objectives of the
Concert, shed light on the show itself and concluded saying that “those who
promote peace are the ones who have real JOY.”
The highlight of the
evening was the National Peace Awards. The Life Time Achievement Award
(Contribution towards Peace through Protection of Human Rights) was awarded to
Major General (Dr) M P Singh. The Outstanding Visionary Award (Contribution
towards Peace through conservation of Environmental Heritage) went to Fr Cosme
Jose Da Costa from the Theological college Pilar. The Outstanding Visionary Award
(Contribution towards Peace through Performing Arts) was bestowed on Mr
Tomazinho Cardozo from Candolim while the Outstanding Visionary Award
(Contribution towards Peace through Literature) went to Mr. Bonaventure D.
Pietro from Anjuna.
Interspersed with the
entertainment programs were four Book launches by members of the Fr Agnel
College staff.
The Grassroot Peace
Awards included the Earth Champion – Lifetime Achievement Award given to
MrAgneloCorreia. The Local Government Excellence in Environment Award went to
Village Panchayat, St Lawrence Agassaim. Best school award for Environmental
Excellence went to Fr Agnel Central School, Pilar.
People’s Awards for
their contribution towards Environment–Friendly Farming were bagged by Mr Yadu
Kavlekar, Agassaim; Mr Mathais Aguair, Batim; Mr C.K Mathew, Goa Velha; Mr
Vithal Kuttikar, Curca; Mr Prakash Naik, Neura; Mr Vaman Gawas, Siridao; Mr
Shamsundar Shirgaonkar, Mandur.
The Nature
Conservator Awards went to Pio Antonio Judas Caetano Jose Esteves, Mariano Fernandes,
Suzana Coutinho, Swati Naik, Nazareth Satondekar and the Young Achiever’s
Awards in Environmental Leadership were given to Megan Chrissy Vas, Suncy Vas,
Akshay Kundaikar, Viresh Borkar, Gauresh Gawas and Chrisley Afonso.
The Concert was also
a Peace Leadership venture for the students who collaborated with performers
from Carmel College of Arts and Science, Nuvem; Government College, Sanquelim,
St Anthony’s Boys Home, Agassaim and St Alex Orphanage,Calangute.
The entertainers were
exemplary. To name a few a Pan pipe recital by Myron Sequeira sfx, original
performances by Domnic Alvaressfx, Melvyn Noronha, Rabin D’Pietro, Akshada,
Cielda, Vezalu Ringa, Varun Carvalho, Devsurabhi Yaduvanshi, Baby Gurung,
WomkopTonglim, Gracy Gurung, Sairaj Bhat, and the College Band ‘Fr Agnel Rhythm
Vibes’ led by JaimeGonsalves. Mention must be made of the skits enacted by
students of FrAgnel College on themes as diverse as “The mining barons and my
right to live,” “The chaos of politicians raising down hills,” “O market lobby,
feed me fish!” “Will our fields yield anymore?” and a comedy “Kitem Jeupachem?”
The
Creative pulse was realistic, positive, and very proactive. There was no
“looking back in anger, nor forward in fear, but around in awareness.” (James
Thurber) Since all we are saying is give peace a chance
