The official inauguration began with a colourful ceremony of washing the hands of the dignitaries, delegates and young people and donning shawls. The boys from Ashalyam performed a message programme through a dance.

Father Harris Pakkam explained the mission and vision of the VOICES project. Speaking on the objectives of the project VOICES, he said, “The purpose is to listen to the unheard and silent cries of the young, to give voice to the voiceless of the young people of South Asia region through a process of sharing experiences, discussions and dialogue on some of the vital matters of unemployment, digital addiction, substance addiction and migrants that would give rise to some concrete lines of actions and provide a platform for the young people through the communication ministry to give responses to their voices”. “We are to be the megaphone for the voiceless”, he added.

Father Davis, during the inaugural Mass, invited the delegates to be the voice of the voiceless to ensure the message of peace and harmony is heard; the messages of the silent young people are voiced and become empowerers of the silenced, the oppressed and the weak ones. During the inaugural function, Father Davis highlighted the vulnerabilities of the young. “The vulnerabilities are not ever extraneous for the sensibility and pain of every son of Don Bosco. All these touch the heart of the Salesians, for our hearts, beat for you. Our DNA is made by a very special predilection for the young, who are poor and vulnerable”. Quoting the Apostolic exhortation of Pope Francis, Evangeli Gaudium, Father Davis reminded us about the profound guidelines to take care of the vulnerable, to listen to the voices of children and young people to whom we pass on values and knowledge to build together a future of justice, peace and dignified life for every person. He wished that VOICES be a learning experience for the delegates and young people, the protagonists of transformation in society today. “Let every effort be made, by the Social Communication team, to make known the voice of young people, especially those marked by real tragedies of substance abuse, of being migrants, unemployed and those who are silently praying to be heard”, he said. Father Davis assured the young people that the Salesians are with them, to feel their suffering and pain. He said, “We want to affirm your right to make your voice heard”.

The keynote address was delivered by senior catholic journalist and columnist AJ Philip. Culling out from the pages of his journalistic experience, he said that all are called to be a communicator, a reporter and editors. He gave insights into the theme of VOICES from a historical and holistic perspective, adding that all are migrants on this earth.

Addressing the delegates and young people at the inauguration of the first VOICE project of Salesian Order online, the General Councillor for Social Communication, Father Gildasio, thanked and congratulated the delegates for arranging the launch of the VOICES project very professionally and for taking the leadership to promote and make visible VOICES in South Asia. To the young people who came to attend VOICES, he said, “We don't want you only to come today and go back, and then we forget you. No. We want to walk side by side with you”. Emphasising the partnership with the young, he said, “We walk together. We join our voices to your voices so that all the voices will be heard. VOICES is a journey that we walk together”. Looking at the VOICES project across the Salesian presence in the world Father Gildasio said, “VOICES is going to be an important channel, phase for young people to speak out and share their vision, struggles and rights”.

The presence of the Rector of the Provincial House Father Varghese Palattykoonathan, who welcomed the dignitaries and delegates, Father PD John, SPCSA Secretary, Father Patric Leptcha, SA delegate for Youth Ministry, and Father Ashok, Communication delegate of Delhi Province graced the occasion. After the formal inauguration, the day unfolded with the presentation of the themes like Migrants, Unemployment, Digital Addiction and Substance Addiction by the young people.