On  7^th of July, 2019, the sprawling St.Sebastian’s Church campus was filled with enthusiastic youngsters who had come to participate in the Cycle Rally organised. There were  240 participants and 25 volunteers.  The awareness rally was focused on the theme  “Save Water and Land”. It was flagged off at  6.30 AM by Fr.Charles Bernard, Vice Provincial in OfM congregation. The introductory talk was given by “Love Guru” Rajavel, famous Radio Jockey from FM Radio City 91.1 FM. In his talk, he touched upon the prevailing water crisis in Chennai, the causes of overall climate change issues and our role as responsible citizens.

The rally covered a distance of 20 km with 4 halts at MKB Nagar, Sharma Nagar, Perambur and Sembiam for awareness talks that attracted the attention of hundreds of people at each junction. Initially, the concept on the theme was jointly developed by event vision leads Fr.Simon, Parish Priest, Madhavaram and Dr.John Arokiaraj, Manager, Caritas India. It was shared among the volunteers.

Placards were prepared by the volunteers highlighting the relationship between water and human life, preparatory efforts from the Chennai citizens to welcome North East Monsoon, mitigating flood disaster, safe disposal of wastes both solid and liquid, land and water management and children as ambassadors of green environment. Those who wanted to participate but could not, due to some inevitable reasons showed their solidarity by taking part in the signature campaign.

The participants themselves discussed some practical  tips for saving water like checking toilet for leaks, not using toilet as an ashtray or waste basket, taking shorter showers, turn off the water while brushing teeth, turn off the water while shaving, check for leaks in pipes, hoses, faucets and couplings rinsing vegetables in a bowl or sink full of clean water, stopping the wasteful practice of running tap water to cool it for drinking, while washing dishes by hand, not to leave the water running for rinsing, watering plants during the cool parts of the day, planting drought-resistant indigenous trees and plants, putting a layer of mulch around trees and plants, using a broom to clean driveways, sidewalks and steps, not to run the hose while washing your vehicle, having rain water harvesting structures installed at home, recycling used water for gardening and growing nutrition garden, stopping the pollution of existing water sources, checking the drainage channel whether it is properly covered and is free of garbage, avoiding indiscriminate usage of plastic bags, reporting about the leakage in public tanks/taps, participating in public awareness, mass information, and education campaign. Above all, they became conscious of the motto “Some water for all and not all water for some”

Ms.Preenu, Lecturer in Social Work, CTTE college and recently trained in Volunteer Management by Caritas India said “ The Cycle  Rally has given me opportunity to be part of awareness creation on Land and Water issues among the general public and more particularly among the student community. I am happy that 17 college students from my college have participated in this rally”.   Anush Peter, one of the volunteers who was taking care of logistics arrangement said that such type of experiences gives practical knowledge on the principles of management.

The cycle rally was a great success with the coordinated effort of Caritas India, St.Sebastian’s Parish, Madras Social Service Society, PSM, Earth Day Network, Greater Chennai Corporation Traffic Police Department, CTTE College, St.Anne’s School, Bosco Academy, St.Joseph’s AIHSC and other well-wishers.