The keynote animator was Archbishop Emeritus Thomas Menamparampil, SDB, a veteran missionary known for his pastoral wisdom and ability to engage diverse audiences. Dividing his input into two sessions, he delivered reflections that were both profound in thought and deeply practical in application. Addressing the challenges of evangelization in today’s multicultural, multireligious, and politically sensitive India, he offered grounded insights drawn from spiritual thinkers like Rick Warren and socio-political analysts such as Yascha Mounk. Interspersing these with personal anecdotes and stories of Salesian stalwarts, Archbishop Menamparampil urged participants to embrace the mission as an inner fire—a passionate calling to speak the truth with love, in the spirit of St. Francis Xavier, patron of the province.

Reflecting on the missionary example of Jesus, Don Bosco, and Mother Teresa, he emphasized the need for relevance, cultural sensitivity, and creative communication strategies in a world shaped by rapid change and growing complexities. Missionaries today, he said, must balance conviction with compassion, courage with dialogue, and fidelity with adaptability.

In the second session, the Archbishop presented a compelling missionary strategy inspired by the visionary leadership of Archbishop Louis Mathias. Centring on his motto “Dare and Hope,” he traced the birth and growth of Salesian missions in Northeast India — initiatives marked by boldness, collaboration, and unwavering trust in divine providence. He recounted stories of foreign missionaries who overcame formidable geographical, cultural, and social barriers, forming united mission teams that proclaimed the Gospel through both witness and service. Their spirit of daring, he stressed, remains essential as Salesians navigate contemporary socio-political challenges and seek to “whisper the Gospel to the soul of Asia.”

The seminar concluded with a solemn Eucharistic celebration presided over by Fr. Ashley Miranda, Provincial. Drawing from Pope Francis’ Evangelii Gaudium and the Rector Major’s reflections on “The Parable of the Sower,” he reminded the assembly that missionaries must be joyful, serene, and hope-filled bearers of the Good News.

Participants expressed deep appreciation for the well-structured programme, noting that it left them both motivated and better equipped for their missionary commitments. To mark the anniversary, a commemorative magazine was released, featuring articles that celebrate the legacy of Salesian mission work while encouraging renewed imagination and enthusiasm for the years ahead.