By Ms Marilyn Dias for BIS Mumbai

On December 11, 2025, St. Joseph’s High School, Wadala, celebrated International Mountain Day. The Eco Club, with help from teachers Ms Flavia, Mrs Laila, Mrs Janita, and Mrs Marina, organized the event. The goal was to help students learn about mountains, why they are important, and why we should protect the environment.

The programme commenced with a warm welcome to two distinguished guest speakers from the Giripremi mountaineering club— Mr Bhushan Harshe, a professional mountaineer and motivational speaker, and Mr Vivek Shivade, an adventure educator and mountaineer. The teachers, Mrs Laila Furtardo and Mrs Janita George, introduced the guests, who were felicitated by the Principal, Fr Solomon Rapol.

The session started with Mr Bhushan sharing a captivating video titled “Duke’s Nose,” which he referred to as a glimpse into the world of mountain climbing. His narrative included experiences from his thrilling ascent of Mount Everest and an informative session on mountaineering equipment, highlighting their functional aspects during expeditions.

Following his presentation, Mr Vivek took the stage to describe his experiences scaling renowned peaks such as Kanchenjunga and Mt Meru in Uttarakhand’s Gangotri region. He noted astounding statistics—over 8,000 climbers have successfully reached Mount Everest, while only ten have conquered Mt Meru, an accomplishment that solidified Mr Vivek’s place among elite mountaineers.

Both speakers emphasised the significance of glaciers and their role in combating climate change, underlining the urgency of environmental preservation. Motivational video clips were presented, further reinforcing the importance of mountains and mountaineering in maintaining ecological balance and the natural resources vital to human life.

The programme included a question-and-answer session, where students and Eco-Club members eagerly participated. They posed insightful questions that allowed the speakers to share first-hand experiences and advice drawn from their extensive mountaineering journeys, enriching the students ’understanding.

The remarkable success of this event can be attributed to the dedicated guidance and support of Fr Rapol, the headmistress, Mrs Seema D’souza, and the efforts of the Supervisor, Teacher Nagaprabha Rao, who coordinated the event’s logistics within a short timeframe. Their leadership and encouragement played a pivotal role in the programme’s smooth execution.

The Principal, Fr Rapol, delivered an inspiring speech, urging students to appreciate the value of mountains and the adventures they offer, while also encouraging responsible exploration of nature. His own experiences of mountain climbing in Lonavala added a personal touch that resonated with the students.

The event concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks by Fr Rapol, leaving the students inspired and informed about the grandeur of the mountains and the importance of conserving our environment.

The celebration of International Mountain Day at St. Joseph’s High School was not just an educational endeavour but an inspiration for students to engage actively with nature and its preservation. The engaging presentations, coupled with real-life insights from expert mountaineers, made for a memorable and enriching experience.