“Planet in Our Hands” Handbook Released in Telugu to Spread Ecological Awareness among Rural Children

Hyderabad, September 22, 2026: The Telugu edition of Planet in Our Hands – Handbook – in India, a child-friendly book on caring for the environment, was released on 22 September 2026 by Fr Thomas Santiagu of Don Bosco Hyderabad.

The Telugu edition, titled "మన చేతుల్లోనే మన భూగ్రహం" (Mana Bhugram mi Chetulalone Unnadi), was written by Fr Juan A. Goicochea C. and translated by Fr Indrajit Gupta, Youth Director, Srikakulam. Telugu joins the handbook’s existing editions in Spanish, German, English, French, Polish and Ukrainian.

The initiative was led by Fr Noel Maddhichetty, Director of Don Bosco LiFE and BIRDY. He described the handbook as a powerful tool for building awareness about the environment among rural and underprivileged children in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Designed for Telugu-medium children in rural communities, the handbook uses colourful illustrations and simple language to explain why caring for the Earth matters. It encourages children to develop responsible attitudes towards the environment.

The publication was made possible with the support of FASTENAKTION, Pölten, Austria, whose partnership has helped bring this resource to children in Telugu-speaking communities.

Fr Juan A. Goicochea C. is a Peruvian environmental educator who works with underprivileged communities and street youth. He is the creator of the global educational project “Children, This Planet is in Your Hands”