2026-03-27

The halls of KTJM High School, Edammattom, resonated with a renewed sense of ecological purpose as the Wings of Awareness project reached its milestone valedictory ceremony. The program took flight with a melodic invocation by the school choir, transitioning seamlessly into an opening address by the Headmaster, Fr. Manoj Emmanuel. Rather than just a formal greeting, Fr. Manoj’s speech served as a retrospective of the project’s evolution, tracing its path from the first orientation sessions to the full-scale implementation that has now become a hallmark of the school’s environmental curriculum. He extended a special thanks to TIES and the Buimerc India Foundation for their collaborative vision and took great pride in recognizing the top performers who championed the initiative.

Dr. Punnen Kurian, Director of TIES, then took the floor to deliver a compelling valedictory message focused on the long-term impact of nature education. By analyzing student performance data, he illustrated the tangible growth in the students' scientific curiosity and urged them to maintain their momentum as lifelong observers of the natural world. This transition from theory to legacy was solidified as Dr. Kurian formally presented the school with a commemorative memento and the comprehensive project report, documenting the unique avian biodiversity recorded by the campus community.

The celebration of achievement continued with Mr. Sarath Babu, Nature Education Officer at TIES, awarding Amateur Birder Certificates to the most dedicated students, while Dr. Punnen Kurian presented certificates of appreciation to the teacher coordinators who served as the project's backbone. The narrative heart of the event, however, belonged to the students; in a series of candid reflections, they shared how their journey through the "Wings of Awareness" had shifted their perspective from mere observers to active protectors of nature.

Ms. Suhaana, Project Officer at TIES, further enriched the session by reminiscing about the school’s warm reception of the project, specifically noting the Headmaster’s leadership and the vital support system provided by parents. She emphasized that the culmination of this program is merely a stepping stone for future conservation efforts. The formal proceedings drew to a close with a sincere vote of thanks by student representative, followed immediately by a post-project survey to evaluate the lasting influence of this environmental odyssey on the both participant students and teachers.