The spiritual preparation for the 29th General Chapter concluded with a pilgrimage to Colle Don Bosco, the place of Salesian origins. The community director, Fr. Vijaya Thathireddy, greeted the Chapter members with these words: "You have returned home; we were all born here. Here, there is a father, and we are all brothers."

An NCC cadet from the Don Bosco College Tura, Ms. Niksilchi A Marak, participated in the Republic Day Parade held in New Delhi this year, bringing laurels to the college and the Garo Hills region. Ms. Niksilchi is the first person to represent the college and the Hills as an NCC cadet at the parade.

On the occasion of 8th Foundation Day, Shri Bala Subramanian, District Magistrate of Kalimpong, West Bengal, honoured Don Bosco Tech Society for its impactful operations in the district. The recognition is for the outstanding contribution as an empanelled training partner under the Department of Technical Education, Training and Skill Development, Government of West Bengal. Bro. Roshan Ekka, the Principal of DB Tech Kalimpong, proudly received the recognition on behalf of the Don Bosco Tech Society.

On Wednesday, February 19, during the third day of the Spiritual Retreat for the participants of the 29th General Chapter (GC29), Father Pascual Chávez, Rector Major Emeritus, focused on the method that can guide the spiritual experience. His discourse was designed to help one approach the progression of one's relationship with God, also in light of the experiences of great saints and mystics such as St. Ignatius and St. Teresa.

The Don Bosco Job Placement Network (DB JPN), a forum for Career Guidance and Job Placement Services in the South Asia region, marked a historic moment by commemorating Don Bosco's commitment to young workers' rights through the Leadership Summit 2025 at Chennai Tamil Nadu. The event, themed 'Decent Work, Dignified Life,' celebrated 174 years since Don Bosco's First Apprenticeship Contract and 175 years since the founding of the Mutual Aid Society.

A beautiful, modern, and well-equipped Social Work Coordination Centre for the state of Kerala and Skill Training Centre, DB Veedu, was opened in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on 26 January. A project of BREADS (Bangalore Rural Educational and Development Society) with financial assistance from JuWe, Switzerland, was inaugurated by the Provincial of the Salesians of Bangalore, Dr. Fr. Jose Koyickal, and blessed by Most Rev. Thomas Netto, Archbishop of Trivandrum.

On the second day of the spiritual retreat for the GC29 members, Father Pascual Chávez, Rector Major Emeritus, reflected on the meaning of the Salesian mission, starting from the key expression 'Da mihi animas' (Give me souls). He further broadened the theme to include fraternal community life, emphasizing the importance of communion and sharing as signs of evangelical witness.

The Rector Major Emeritus Father Pascual Chávez began the spiritual retreat for the participants of the 29th General Chapter, saying, “Dear confreres, I have chosen as the theme of our spiritual retreat the perspective of the mysticism of our Salesian life. It is, in fact, there that the apostolic project of Don Bosco is found, which we are invited to make our own, and it is there that our entire charismatic identity resides.”

At a prestigious event held at Taj Lands’ End, Mumbai, on February 17, the World Human Resource Development (HRD) Congress honoured DB Tech with the Skill Development Leadership Award. Father George Mathew, Executive Director, received the award in recognition of successfully training 469,864 youth across 66 vocational domains in 29 states of India, with an impressive placement rate of 72%.

The gathering at the Salesian Mother House at Valdocco witnessed the official opening of the 29th General Chapter (CG29) on February 16. Fr. Alphonse Owoudou, the Chapter Moderator, did the honours of declaring the Chapter open. A gathering of 230 provincials and delegates of the Society of St. Francis de Sales, thus, commenced meaningfully, united in their mission to nurture Don Bosco’s charism, in the theme: “Passionate about Jesus Christ, dedicated to the young.”

A landmark discussion on migration and urban poverty took place at the UN Building, Delhi, as part of the Voluntary National Review (VNR), aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Global Compact for Migration (GCM) on February 14. The event, attended by 40 participants, included representatives from 30 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), UN officials, and officers from NITI Aayog. Father Francis Bosco SDB, in charge of Migrants, SPCSA, India, played the leading role in the proceedings.

Reaffirming their commitment to actively implementing the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, Don Bosco Technical School organized a one-day workshop and animation program for St. Anthony's L.P. School and Don Bosco Technical School (ITI) staff on February 11.

Aimed at discussing the challenges and opportunities for rural development in Northeast India, the Department of Economics at Don Bosco College Itanagar organized a two-day national seminar on "Challenges and Opportunities for Socio-Economic Development in Rural Areas of Northeast India." The seminar, which took place on February 7-8, was supported by ICSSR-NERC and Federal Bank.

In an inspiring act of courage and selflessness, F. Ramropuia, an eighth-grade student from Don Bosco School, Thenzawl, North East India, has been awarded the prestigious National Bravery Award of 2023 by the Government of India. The award was presented to him on 26th January 2025, during the Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi, in recognition of his heroic efforts to save a life during a family outing in 2023. The award, one of India's highest civilian honours for bravery, is given to children who demonstrate extraordinary courage in the face of danger.