NEWS
The historic Marian shrine of Bandel Church, which has stood sentinel on the banks of the Hooghly River since 1599, became the site of a unique spiritual and musical homecoming on Saturday. Baul Samrat Sanajit Mandal, a pioneering figure in Bengali Gospel folk music, returned to his roots to reimagine two iconic devotional tracks—Kaatar Mukut(Crown of Thorns) and Dhike Dhike Shona Jai (Heard All Over)—in a special music video shoot organized by the Song of Gospel YouTube channel.
A vibrant confluence of culture, catechesis, and youth empowerment marked the recently concluded ten-day “Leadership Training Camp and Youth Catechesis through Folk Art” held from May 21 to May 31, 2025, at Sacred Heart College (SHC), Tirupattur. Jointly organized by the Salesian Province of Chennai (INM), the Youth Ministry Delegation, Deepagam (Don Bosco Catechetical Centre), and SHC, the camp brought together 65 youth and children from seven rural parishes in Vellore and Tirupattur regions, including participants from Chennai and FSAG sisters of Shalom Province, Tindivanam.
To foster cultural understanding, leadership, and personal growth among the youth, 24 young people from Meghalaya represented the state at the International Youth Exchange Programme in Jakarta, Indonesia, from February 16 to 22 for the fourth time. The delegation, selected from a pool of 600 applicants across 12 districts, participated in an initiative made possible through the collaboration between the Government of Meghalaya and the Salesians of Don Bosco Shillong Province.
The Multi-Talent Contest of SYMFEST 2024 took place on the evening of 29th December, featuring an exciting array of artistic and creative performances showcasing the participants' diverse talents. It brought together young artists from various disciplines to celebrate their creativity, teamwork, and passion. It provided an opportunity to foster a sense of companionship and shared experience. The events included the Theme Song, Dance Performance, Rangoli Drawing, Creative Art, Canvas Painting, and Tableau Presentation.
Tirupattur, the Sandal City of Tamil Nadu, is set to witness an extraordinary convergence of youthful energy and purpose as SYMFEST 2024-25 begins tomorrow at the historic Sacred Heart College. Hosted by the Salesian Province of Chennai, this landmark event celebrates the 200th anniversary of Don Bosco’s Dream at Nine. It brings together over 1,500 young participants from India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh under the theme “Anchored in Hope: Young People as Agents of Change.”
Having concluded the official visit of the Salesian Formation Houses in Karnataka and Kerala of the Province of Bangalore, Father Gildasio Santos, the General Councillor for Social Communications from Rome, visited the Don Bosco Cultural Centre in Kochi on November 17 and 18.
Don Bosco Higher Secondary School (DBHSS) Dimapur came alive from 24th to 26th October, as students from across Nagaland gathered for the All Don Bosco Schools Nagaland Meet 2024. The three-day event, centered around the theme of Students for Change, showcased a dynamic blend of athletic prowess, cultural heritage, and academic excellence.
Under the auspices of the Salesian Provincial Conference of South Asia (SPCSA), the Education and Culture Dimension Heads and School Coordinators from the 12 Salesian Provinces in South Asia gathered for a three-day summit hosted by the Salesian Province of Bangalore. Held at Christ University’s Kengeri campus on October 21-23, the meeting aimed to deepen collaboration and enhance the Salesian educational approach across the region.
In a vibrant celebration of cultural diversity and unity, the Don Bosco Youth Services of the Province of Bangalore (INK) organized the CUL-EX 2023 event at the Don Bosco Provincial House in Bangalore on November 25 and 26. The event was masterminded under the guidance of Father Uday Kumar, the Regional Youth Director of Karnataka, along with the assistance of Father Kaplikunnel Varghese, the Youth Ministry Delegate of the Bangalore Province, and Father Manu, the Regional Youth Director of Kerala.
In a splendid display of cultural preservation and celebration, Salesian College of Higher Education, Dimapur, Nagaland, hosted a captivating folklore competition on September 16. The event with the theme "Preserving Naga Heritage: Tales of Tradition and Culture" witnessed a gathering of staff, students, and distinguished guests to honour and uphold the rich legacy of the Naga community.
The Research Cell of the Khasi Jaintia Welfare Association (KJWA) awarded Salesian Father Barnes Mawrie sdb for his contributions to Khasi culture through his literature. Together with him, three other prominent writers and authors were also felicitated at Dinam Hall Jaiaw on August 19 for their contributions to the Khasi Jaintia society.
Following the footprints of the Salesian missionaries who learned the languages and cultures of North East India to bring the Good News and development to the people, the Province of Guwahati organised three weeks of learning two languages for the young Salesians and pre-novices.