Under the visionary leadership of Most Rev. Bishop Rayarala Vijaya Kumar, Bishop of Srikakulam Diocese and Chairman of the Youth Commission for the Telugu States, Fr. Seelvaraj Medi SDB, Director of DISHA and Youth Director of the Diocese, and Fr. Justin SDB spearheaded the three-day event, which was coordinated by Mr. Sagar(DISHA), Mr. Harish, and Mr. Peter from the Don Bosco Job Placement Network.

Beyond Employment: A Festival of Skills, Talent, and Social Awareness

A distinctive feature of the fest was the Life Skills Orientation Day, where youth participated in dynamic sessions focused on communication, decision-making, emotional intelligence, goal-setting, and teamwork. These sessions were designed to help youth succeed in interviews and face life's broader challenges with resilience and purpose.

In parallel, the event featured vibrant cultural performances, including skits, songs, and creative expressions that allowed youth to showcase their talents while engaging with pressing social issues such as unemployment, migration, substance abuse, and gender inequality. These artistic contributions added depth and voice to the concerns and aspirations of the young participants.

Ground-Level Impact: Recruiters and Youth Speak Out

Feedback from recruiters was overwhelmingly positive. One HR executive shared, "The candidates here are not only job-ready but also self-aware and enthusiastic — qualities we often don't find in campus hires. This event bridged that gap."

The youth described the experience as life-changing. Kavitha, from a nearby tribal village, said, "I learned how to speak confidently and understood my worth. Even if I wasn't selected, I now know how to prepare and present myself." Arvind, another participant, added, "This was my first experience of a structured job event, but the life skills session had the deepest impact—it made me reflect on who I want to become."

Notably, more than 300 youth received on-the-spot job offers, a testament to the effectiveness of the preparation and the eagerness of recruiters to tap into this talent pool. The event drew participation from 15 recruiting companies across diverse sectors, including healthcare, retail, manufacturing, and IT-enabled services.

Looking Ahead: A Growing Network of Hope

The collaboration between the Salesians of Don Bosco in Hyderabad and the Churches of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh presents a powerful grassroots model of faith-driven social action. Their integrated approach — combining employment, education, and empowerment — is increasingly seen as a vital response to the growing needs of rural and tribal youth.

With follow-up plans including mentorship, career mapping, and skills training, the Youth Fest was not a culmination but a launchpad — one that continues to ripple hope, purpose, and opportunity across the region.