Seva Kendra Calcutta’s efforts in water

conservation through Rooftop Rainwater

Harvesting

The following news report was published in ‘The Herald’, Vol. 150 (CL) No. 29. July 18-24, 2014

Fr. Thomas Carlo, SJ reported the following:

Seva Kendra Kolkata to celebrate 40 years’ of its establishment came up with a novel idea of constructing a Roof Top Rain Water Harvesting System. Its inauguration took place on July 12, at their premises in the presence of about 100 persons – laity, clergy and religious. Fr Dominic Gomes, Vicar General of Calcutta Archdiocese, led the prayers asking God to bless the Management and staff of Seva Kendra for their good work in the Archdiocese, to reach out to thousands of people who are deprived of their basic needs. He also blessed the rain water harvesting tank and the assembly. Fr Gregory Monteiro read a passage from the Gospel of St John in which Jesus asks the Samaritan woman for a drink of water. 

Fr Franklin Menezes, Director of Seva Kendra, presented a PowerPoint presentation indicating our obligation to conserve water. He said 97% percent of earth’s water is saline and only 3% sweet water. Seva Kendra has taken the first step to build a roof top water harvesting system. We have to sacrifice our garden so that we can provide space for the water reservoir, he said. We have built an underground tank with reinforced concrete and girders which can hold 125,000 liters of water. The rain water although it is 100% pure, passes through several layers of filters before dripping in to the storage tank, he added. 

Raj Kapoor Sharma from the Irrigation and Waterways department was there to inaugurate the system. He switched on the plant and a pump started pumping water from top of the Centre pavilion. He also explained on the urgent need of conserving water. It is the duty not only of the Government but also of every citizen of the country, he insisted. 

Maria Fernandes, Vice Chairperson for West Bengal Minority Commission was present together with a few other dignitaries. A group of children performed a dance; depicting nature’s crave for rain and the gratitude over its arrival.