NEWS
BREADS (Bangalore Rural Education And Development Society) and Kerala State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) jointly organised a State-level Stakeholders’ Workshop on February 29 in Thiruvananthapuram to discuss the status of substance use among the youth in Kerala and the measures needed to address the issue. The Workshop facilitated the active participation of 178 stakeholders from government departments and NGOs.
In a heartening display of empathy and collaboration, the Rilang Children`s Home welcomed the members of the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM), marking a day filled with compassion and camaraderie on February 23.
The Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Shri Conrad K Sangma, speaking at the Grand Finale of 'Ka Sur Kynud Season 2' invited the young to be a Xerox copy of the Salesians to transform the society. 'Ka Sur Kynud Season 2,' the singing competition, was held on January 31, marking the celebration of the solemnity of St John Bosco at Don Bosco Technical School, Shillong. Ellery Kharkongor bagged the best singer award with Rupees One Lakh and the trophy.
Echoes, the Youth Synods of the Province of St. Joseph Hyderabad, were celebrated in two phases. The first Youth Synod was held on 13 and 14 January in BIRDY, Hyderabad, with 140 youth and 12 youth coordinators from Telangana and Rayalaseema participating. The second Youth Synod on 26 and 27 January was held at Don Bosco Chiguru Children’s Village near Vijayawada, with 170 youth and ten youth coordinators from Andhra Pradesh.
The Kolkata Salesians organised a three-day international youth fest at Don Bosco School Siliguri from 26 to 28 January, on the theme, ‘Dream that makes you Dream’. Some 700 plus young people from 24 Salesian parishes of Bengal, Sikkim, Bihar and the neighbouring countries of Bangladesh and Nepal participated.
The Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) Youth Fest 2023 was held from December 1to 3 at St. Anthony’s Higher Secondary School, Shillong, with the objective to unite youth from Salesian schools and parishes, serving as a platform for character building and providing valuable guidance as they navigate the challenges of youth. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from youth hailing from various Salesian institutions and parishes like St Anthony’s School, Auxilium Convent, Don Bosco School, Smit, St John Bosco School, Sohra, and Parish communities – Rangblang, Sonapahar & Riangdo, and Laitkroh.
Don Bosco Academy, Nerul, in collaboration with Canon, hosted a two-day free photography workshop on November 17 and 18. A basic course in photography welcomed 42 participants, aimed to nurture a love for photography and equip amateur photographers with the essential skills to embark on their creative journeys.
The Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) Gujarat held a captivating three-day youth seminar titled, The Dream that Makes You Dream, from November 13 to 15 at the AmrutDhara Don Bosco Animation Centre, Kapadvanj. Aligned with the Strenna 2024 of the Rector Major, the seminar brought together around 80 enthusiastic young minds to explore the power of dreams and their potential to shape a brighter future.
The Social Communication Commission of the Salesian Province of Bombay (INB) conducted a training programme for trainers on Digital Addiction at Don Bosco Provincial House, Matunga, on October 26. Thirty-five participants from 14 institutions of INB were present for the programme.
A Handbook of Salesian Youth Ministry, authored by Father (Dr) Barnes Mawrie sdb, was released by Father Paul O Lyngkot sdb, the Salesian Provincial of St. John Paul II, Shillong Province, in the presence of the Vice Provincial and other leaders of institutions within Mawlai region on October 23.
The vibrant and spirited youth of Shillong, Mawlai, gathered in numbers at the Sacred Heart Theological College on October 15 for the Annual Youth Fest 2023. The theme 'WITH THE YOUTH ON THE SYNODAL PATH' resonated deeply with the youth as they came together to celebrate the boundless potential of their generation. Over 1400 youth from Shillong and its neighbouring regions participated, creating a vibrant and diverse gathering.
October 19 was marked by a special online interaction with the selected youth across the Salesian South Asia region. The Don Bosco Digital Forum was an initiative from the Department of Salesian Social Communication, Rome.
Don Bosco Tech Society, the network of all Don Bosco TVET centres in India, was honoured with the prestigious Mahatma Award 2023 for Social Good and Impact. Don Bosco Tech Society's remarkable achievement stands out among the 107 recipients carefully selected from 2100 applicants across diverse categories. The award ceremony, held at the Indian International Center in New Delhi on September 30, was a prestigious event graced by eminent personalities from various sectors. The Executive Director Father George Mathew and the Rector of the SPCI House Father Joseph Manipadath, along with members of the national team, received the award on behalf of the Don Bosco Tech Society.
In a stride toward fostering career progression and honing essential soft skills, the Institution for Culture and Rural Development (I-CARD) in Jorhat, Assam, embarked on its annual Training Program for Educated Unemployed Youth. The inauguration took place on September 12 with distinguished guests Fr. K.A Thomas, Director of I-CARD, Dr. Salim Ahmed, Professor of J.B. College, Jorhat, and Mr Uma Pathari (Executive Member) and Mr. Tralukya Pame:gam, the representatives from the Mising Autonomous Council, Government of Assam.