Media Release
Bantwal, Jul 23: There was no stage, no guests, no speeches, no banners, no flowers and banquets but a large empty field and a bunch of enthusiastic youth who are ready to get down into the field and start working. This is not just a photo shoot event with banners for a day rather a continuous 100 days project to grow rice in order to feed the needy. ICYM Madanthyar unit members have set a target to cultivate more than 1,000 kilograms paddy in 100 days. The present day youth who are otherwise busy and engaged in other activities, are now using their free time in nurturing the crop and getting hands on experience in paddy cultivation.
ICYM Madanthyar unit, a group of vibrant and enthusiastic youth, known for its service, dedication and performance has once again succeeded in coming up with an unique project of setting a paddy field to feed the needy. It may be recalled that they had won the overall championship-2019 at both Beltangady deanery level and also at the Mangaluru diocese level for their active participation in all activities at the deanery and diocesan level and for having hosted more than 40 programs during the year.
On the occasion of the World Day of Prayer for the care of creation, in September last year, Pope Francis had said that he was grateful that efforts were being made to develop more sustainable agriculture and more responsible nutrition and for the initiatives that involve faithful throughout the world in the care of creation. St Francis of Assisi who is the Patron of those who promote ecology and a guide for all nature lovers, environmentalists and ecologists, has taught his followers to live in a way that respects and honors nature as God’s creation.
The 100-day paddy cultivation project was flagged off on July 18 by youth along with the parish priest Fr Basil Vas and assistant parish priest Fr Stany Pinto have turned into laborers and farmers by engaging themselves in ploughing the field using tiller, preparing the field, sowing and transplanting. The entire process is being done by them. Their 100 day project includes ploughing a field measuring about one acre belonging to a parishioner Paul Mascarenhas. The coming days will keep them busy in weeding, harvesting and winnowing. The fruit of their labor will be sweet. The Parish and its parishioners wish that they will be able to reap in abundance and succeed in their mission of not just respecting the nature and ecology but by also feeding the hungry with their hard work.