A cycle rally was organised by the friars in Chennai, South India on the 7thof July for the cause of water and land, and around 250 children and youth had participated in this event. They covered up around 20 km of distance in and around Madhavaram, Chennai and the neighbouring area holding posters with slogans “Save water and it will save you later; No water no life; Water is life, Treat it Right; Reuse the Past, Recycle the present, Reduce pollution in the future…”
Br. Simon A., OFM, initiated this rally in collaboration with Earth Day Network, Caritas Indiaand Br. Charles Bernar, OFM, Vice Provincial of the Province of St. Thomas the Apostle, India was the chief guest of this event and he flagged off the cycle rally. This rally was a wake-up call for the people of Chennai as the city battles with its historic worst drought in over 70 years. The parishioners of St. Sebastian’s Church have come forward to adopt a nearby lake to clean and restore it as a follow up of this event. The local OFS fraternity also will organise tree-planting in and around the Church compound. Thanking you St. Sebastian’s Parish for taking this initiative for the better future.
Br. Xavier Durairaj, OFM
JPIC Animator
Province of St. Thomas the Apostle – India