In keeping with the honourable and time-tested traditions of the Salesian Congregation, the solemn handover ceremony of the Shillong Province of St. John Paul II from the outgoing Provincial, Fr. Paul Olphindro Lyngkot, SDB, to the new Provincial, Fr. John Zosiama, SDB, took place at Sacred Heart Theological College, Mawlai, Shillong. The event was witnessed by hundreds of Salesian confreres, sisters, civil authorities, prominent catholic laity, members of Salesian family and collaborators on April 24.

On 13 April seven licensed women drivers drove into the future in their own e-autos in the 7th phase of the WE Auto (Women empowerment through Electric Autos) initiative in Kollam, Kerala; joining the other trailblazers, totalling to 34 women from the local fishing community. They are literally driving change into their own lives and the lives of their communities, with the support of BREADS and its Don Bosco partner Fishermen Community Development Programme (FCDP).  

“Our call is not for survival but a call of the spirit to be alive and to take up the challenges of the world today,” said the Provincial of the Bangalore Province, Fr. Dr. Jose Koyickal, quoting Pope Francis at the inaugural function of the 16th Provincial Chapter held at Kristu Jyothi College Bangalore on April 21. He referred to the Provincial Chapter as a sacred cenacle, a space where the confreres come together and look to the future. The Chapter is attended by one hundred Salesians of Bangalore Province and moderated by Fr. Joe Tony Previnth SDB.

The second batch of trainees at the Don Bosco Tech Rangajan Center, consisting of 25 youngsters hailing from Manipur, Nagaland and Assam, specializing in the Food and Beverage Service Associate job, completed their training on January 19. Originating from conflict-ridden areas like Kangpokpi and Imphal, many of these participants had previously confronted homelessness and family loss and struggled with substance abuse. With the able leadership of Brother Sunny Joseph, the Director of DB Tech Rangajan, and a dedicated batch of staff, these youth found hope through the free training initiative.

Salesian Family member Sister Seli Thomas of Sisters of Mary Immaculate won the inaugural Sisters Anti-Trafficking Awards (SATA) 2023. The nun, Sister Seli, a member of Sisters of Mary Immaculate in Krishnagar, West Bengal, received the award at a function in London on October 31, along with two other nuns from Nigeria and Thailand.