'Wake up Mangalore or be Damned!': Book by Royston Fernandes released
Pics: Meryick D'Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (MD)
Mangalore, Dec 7: 'Wake up Mangalore or be Damned!', the second book by young author Royston Fernandes was released at Valencia church hall here on Saturday December 7.
Social activist Vidya Dinker after releasing the book said, "Royston is a brilliant boy and I want to thank him for writing this book. I suggest all of you buy this book."
The book highlights Mangalore's struggle with climate change and stresses on the problems that locals may face in future. It sees Mangalore as any other coastal city that is a hub of activity and growing tourism and economy. It points out that more than half the world's industries lie along the coasts and 53 percent of the world's population lives on the coastline. At the same time, the coast is also where rising sea levels resulting out of climatic change may lead to displacement of millions. The book urges for a shift from a capitalist system to a society that is more sensitive towards the environment.
Elaborating on the book, Royston said, "Mangalore is changing. The climatical conditions are varying from day to day and in future it will affect Mangaloreans and their profession. I want everyone to join hands with me in this journey to keep Mangalore away from all natural disasters."
"The present system looks at the short term monetary benefits ignoring the issue from a long term humanitarian perspective. The need of the hour is a total overhaul of the system. A new socio-economic model - a society without selfishness," he said.
Eric Ozario, Mandd Sobhann gurkar and former president of the Konkani Sahitya Academy, Fr Bonaventure Nazareth, Valencia parish priest were also present at the book release ceremony.
Royston, a mechanical engineer by qualification, is an environmental activist. He wrote his first book 'Shall we save the Earth?' at the young age of 17.