The Department of Geography at Chowgule College, Margao recently observed Hiroshima-Nagasaki Day at the college campus. Students and teachers came together to pay tribute to the victims of the atomic bombings in 1945.
Chowgule College strongly feels that students need to be sensitive to issues of national and global relevance and as youth, become responsible members of the society. Over the last decade, Hiroshima-Nagasaki Day is being observed to bring forth the issue of human disaster that occurred in 1945 in Japan along with other issues surrounding us today.
Present at the tribute, Sagar Uttagi, alumnus of the college and owner, Chikitsa Medical Services, Goa, expressed that remembering such events are necessary because knowing about the past lays a solid foundation for our present so that such mistakes are not repeated in the future. Citing the example of the recent Gaza conflict, he stated, “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. Hence, the future lies in choosing to build and not dwell on past pains and mistakes.”
Also speaking at the tribute, was present Prasanna Uttagi, President, Trade Union, Goa. He emphasized the need for usage of nuclear power for the betterment of the world, and not as a means of destruction. He further said that people should not be mere spectators, but take a stand on whether to choose the good side or the bad.
A BBC Video on Hiroshima-Nagasaki Atomic Bombings was sharedwith the audience. The video showcased the victims sharing their experiences and the scars it left on their psyche.
As part of the observance, an essay and elocution competition was organised on the topic ‘Future of Nuclear Technology’. The winners of the elocution were Sumedha More (First place), Lerissa D’Costa (Second Place), Namrata Nagzarkar & Kiran Naik (Third Place). For essay, the winners were Flory Rebello (First), Vallanka Dias & Lerissa D‘Costa (Second) and Jeslona Soares (Third).
This sombre observance is a reminder of loss of all those souls who perished due to a single catastrophic explosion brought about by a nuclear attack.