UDUPI: Former Vice-Chancellor of the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) M.S. Valiathan on Wednesday said that no one should tamper with nature. He was delivering the valedictory address at the National Convention of Children titled `We are the World', held at the Little Rock Indian School at Brahmavar in the district.

Prof. Valiathan said that human beings as well as nature had been made from the elements — earth, fire, water and air. "If we tamper with nature, we will have to pay a heavy price. It's important that we realise that nature is a part of us and we are the world. Therefore, the world should not be treated as a separate entity," he said.

Prof. Valiathan appreciated the idea of bringing children together for a convention to discuss matters of importance and concern to them.

Principal of the school Mathew C. Ninan said the convention had been organised to provide children a platform to put forth their views. The convention had sought to highlight children's rights and the violation of these rights in different sections of society, including at the home and in school.

"There is an urgent need for a change in the school climate that will promote a better understanding of the child's mind and needs," he said.

Overall champions

About 92 students and 26 teachers from 20 schools from different States attended the convention. They participated in various intellectual and cultural competitions, including paper presentations, quiz, collage and painting. St. Theresa's School, Mangalore and Navy Children School, Goa bagged the overall championships in the junior and senior categories respectively.

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